Wheel of Stars Read Free Page A

right wrist, imprisoning it in a hold she thought that she would not be able to break even if she struggled—which pride would not allow her to do. While he never stopped smiling with those thin lips. Still, deep in his eyes, there was something else which denied any lightness to that smile. Gwennan did not want to understand what lay behind that shadow—she only wanted free of him. But she would not struggle to throw off his hold.
    Then his voice changed. It became deeper, harsher, as if he strove to put into it the power of some imperious command:
    “What were you doing here? Did she —?” The tip of his tongue flicked across his lower lip. “What does she want with you? ” There was a distinct flare of scorn in that. He loomed over her almost as if he were growing before her very eyes, becoming larger, something greater and stronger than the man she had first seen. No, she must not let her imagination range that way!

    “I have not the least idea,” Gwennan sought to retain her composure, “of what you mean. If the ‘she’ you mention is Lady Lyle—”
    “ Lady! ” He broke in, and it seemed to the girl that his dark skin grew even darker, as if blood flooded close beneath its surface. “Lady!” He made of that word something which sounded both an epithet and a protest.
    “Mrs. Lyle, then,” she corrected. “The town has always used ‘Lady’ as a term of respect—it is a tradition for your family. A tribute this time, I imagine, to the impression she makes upon people. But, at any rate, I do not understand you. I do not know her at all. All we have ever spoken of, and that was most briefly, was books—and the first time for that was last Thursday. She has only recently been coming to the library, at all.
    “As for my being here,” Gwennan was at last emboldened to give a quick jerk which freed her wrist, taking two quick steps to the side, “that is also a simple matter which has nothing at all to do with your family. I walk often in the early mornings—especially at this time of the year. And I like the woods—”
    His demanding eyes swept from her to the mound. Almost as if in that glance he said aloud he had not found her in the woods, rather in a place which, for some reason, was not to be invaded. At that moment Gwennan would have willingly suffered any mockery, or even anger which he wished to summon, rather than ever tell him what had really brought her here. That would remain her secret—one which perhaps she would never be able to solve if the tall stones now becameforbidden territory.
    “And now, good morning, Mr. Lyle.” She turned abruptly, strode firmly away, not looking back. Though she carried with her the unhappy feeling that he might be following her, determined to see her safely off Lyle land, back to that world where her kind should stay and live their quiet, narrow little lives.
    “Wait—!” His raised voice was urgent. Gwennan would not run, but her walk approached a trot. She heard the swish of the grass about her legs, perhaps too loudly, it might be echoed by sounds proving that he, too, was on the move. She—was—not—going—to—run—She—was—not—
    “Tor!”
    Not his voice this time, rather a clear hail from farther away.
    Gwennan, startled, did glance back. He had started after her, just as she had feared. Only that call had halted him, so that he half turned towards the mound. Out of the woods which screened all but the roof of the Lyle House, moved a tall figure wrapped in a hooded cloak. Gwennan did not need to see the face half hidden by the folds of cloth to know that this was Lady Lyle.
    Embarrassment made her hot. She had been unhappy at being subtly challenged by the younger Lyle, but to be seen here by Lady Lyle—that was even worse. To be caught acting like a spy! She frankly took to her heels, pausing only in her dash when she came to the wall over which she must climb to reach the lane. On the other side of that barrier she halted, forced