She turned her head, absorbing the details of the room she had so hastily perused the day before. In the clear light of early morning, she could see that the golden hue was repeated throughout the room. The walls were hung with pale gold damask; delicate fruitwood chairs were covered with the same fabric; and only the rug that decorated the floor had white and celadon green as well as the lovely golden hue. It was most assuredly a room to cheer the heart. Punching up her pillow, she settled back to study the portrait hanging above the fireplace surround. A young, very handsome boy leaned against an enormous dog, one arm draped lovingly about his pet’s neck. The boy smiled out at the artist—and the world—with charm, possessing a grace that few boys had. Certainly Marius had never in his life gazed out with such self-possession and appeal. Juliet wondered who the boy might be and why this beautiful portrait had been left here, neglected and unappreciated. “Ah, you be awake,” Pansy said as she bustled into the room, carrying a pitcher of hot water.
