She had removed her boots after squelching two or three steps inside the rear door, and her stockinged feet made no sound on the waxed wooden floors. The ride from Dunmaglass had been without incident, though Eneas, who had elected to act as her escort on the way back, had periodically called a halt to look over his shoulder and study the gusts of swirling snow.Shivering and red-nosed, Anne arrived at her bedchamber and released an audible sigh of gratitude when she saw a fire blazing high in the grate. She had half unwound her plaid, shedding clumps of ice and melting snow onto the floor all the while, before she stiffened and turned slowly to stare at the fireplace again.“It is a cold night. I thought you might appreciate the heat. I even had your maid draw a bath, although I expect the water has cooled by now.”Anne's hands clutched the woolen folds as she followed the voice. Angus was seated in the armchair in the far corner of the room. His coat and waistcoat had been discarded, his fine lawn shirt was loosened in a deep V down his chest, his booted feet were propped on a tapestry stool.
