SHE DANCED ALONE IN THE EMPTY BALLROOM AFTER MIDNIGHT-UNAWARE THE DUKE WAS WATCHING

week.”

He said the name to himself twice, quietly on his tongue: *Vivien. Vivien Ashkam.* He had asked no one about her and told no one what he was doing, not being entirely sure yet what lines was.

On the second day, he was walking back from the stables when he passed the kitchen garden and saw her on her knees in the dirt pulling weeds from between continue reading …