The curtains had been opened and a small fire crackled in the stone fireplace. Sunshine streamed in through the two tall, narrow windows, laying golden rivers of light across the dark Turkey carpet covering the cold stone floor. Stretching lazily, she wondered where Hawk had gone. Ordinarily, Cathe brought Mollie her morning chocolate at half-past seven. Surely, she thought, it was later than that by now! She glanced around the room, looking for a clock. There was none. Well, no matter, she decided. She wanted her breakfast, and she wanted her clothes. The ones she had taken off the night before were no longer lying on the floor where she had left them. Unless she wished to wear one of Hawk’s shirts, she would have to ring for someone. The bellcord hung beside the bed. After a pause during which she wondered who would respond to her ring, she tugged firmly on the cord. Then, just in case, she pulled the eiderdown up to her chin. But it was Cathe who entered a few moments later, carrying a tray bearing a pot of hot chocolate and fluffy Scottish scones with honey and marmalade.
