At Night, Hartwell Estate
The Hartwell estate garden was almost on the verge of looking magical in the blanket of night sky.
Lanterns on carefully placed posts cast flickering pools of golden light down stone pathways.
Beyond the darkness was a shadow where the well-cared-for plants whispered secrets to the evening breeze.
The night was lovely, and Miss Evelyn walked with Alex down one of the winding garden pathways.
Soft lantern light outlined her gentle silhouette, highlighting delicate embroidery on her dress and outlining tiny sheens in carefully placed hair.
Alex, however, had absolutely no opportunity to appreciate any of that beauty.
Why?
The reason was quite simple: two pairs of eyes were boring holes into the back of his head with such intensity that if stares could kill, he would have been dead ten times over by now.
