"I've come to believe that in everyone's life, there is one undeniable moment of change, a set of circumstances that suddenly alters everything," – Nicolas Sparks, Safe Haven

1815

Valarie felt a sense of peace engulf her. It was the same peace that had embodied her since she'd arrived at Flyzroy Castle. She knew she was being foolish but didn't think to change her behaviour. It had taken her a while to remember things and when she'd had that confrontation with Cora, she'd remembered the woman's words from years before. She'd been looking for help and safety and Cora was right, she had found both those things at Flyzroy.

There were still people who wanted her gone, she knew that from the gossip she heard but the threat was minor. She was safe here, safer than she'd been in years. How long had she been a guest here now? She couldn't remember exactly but in all her time here, she'd never heard a thing from her stalker. There had been nothing. Not a note, or a gift, nor even a chill up her spine. She felt like she could breathe deeply again and live without fear. Of course, the silence could be due to something more sinister, but she'd rather believe it was due to some other factor. Perhaps her stalker had died a violent death or seen the error of his ways?

Valarie was sitting in the garden writing letters to Gwyn. She always had one of the servants post the letters, sometimes getting them to post from other towns. Try as she might, she could not give up her connection to Gwyn. She'd tried to cut off the relationship for years but couldn't bring herself to be so utterly alone in the world. Gwyn had kicked Valarie out of most of the houses she owned but still, Valarie felt something towards their friendship.

She should have severed all ties because it would have been easier for all parties involved. Valarie used Gwyn like a diary, she didn't trust writing her thoughts in a book, less the book fall into the wrong hands, but she had no problem telling Gwyn about everything that bothered her. Of course, she had kept certain things to herself because she had to but she couldn't shake the feeling that Gwyn knew of what she didn't write and knew that she understood her in a way that no one else would.

In her letters, she mostly spoke about life in Flyzroy Castle but without giving away too much information. She always made sure never to include names or locations when she wrote. She wanted Gwyn to know that she'd finally found her bearing in life and that her past troubles were over. She wanted Gwyn to feel jealous of the perfect life she now had and to show her that she had paid for the past and this was her reward.

She spoke about Raff but only referred to him as the 'man she loved'. She didn't want his identity known as it would only make it easier for Gwyn – and others – to track her down. She would go into detail about the man she loved and how brightly their love for each other burned.

Gwyn had been unlucky in love. She had married a man many years her senior but then she hadn't had a choice in the matter. Her parents had sold her through marriage as was the done thing. Valarie understood that she was rubbing things in Gwyn's face and knew it was unkind to do so. That was just how their friendship worked. They were competitive creatures and frequently enjoyed getting one over on the other side. There were no boundaries between them and no area where they would not go.

Valarie left her letter writing after lunch for another turn around the garden. The weather was pleasant today and could not be wasted. Raff was always tending to business and so Valarie was completely at her leisure. Unfortunately, Harriet had seen to accompany her on her walk and so she'd had to put up with less than pleasant conversation. Though she'd had a earlier confrontation with Harriet some weeks previously, Harriet continued to follow Valarie around and offer snide remarks when others were out of earshot. It was most grating on Valarie's nerves, but she bared with it. She knew that Harriet only acted in this way because she perceived Valarie as a threat and if Valarie had the upper hand, she felt she could handle Harriet's tantrums.

"So, how long do you think you will be staying with us?" asked Harriet.

"For as long as I am welcome. Everyone has been most kind to me, especially Raff. I'd hate to leave him."

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Whatever do you mean Harriet?"

"Your lies and your charms may have worked on the others around us, but I am not so easily fooled. You smile but it does not reach your eyes, you hold yourself high, but your clothes are poorly made. You appeared from thin air yet there is no story to put to your name."

"What story do you think I should have? I am a poor orphaned child Harriet. Though my parents have left this world, they left me with considerable wealth. I may not have a permanent residence at present, but I know I will be welcomed in any home I arrive in. Can you say the same about yourself?"

"You're fake Valarie. There is a darkness about you, and you are poisoning the air all around us. You'll take us all to our graves if only to prolong your long life. Raff is my best friend and you have sunk your claws into him without thinking of the consequences. Have you thought of what would happen if you left him?"

"Who says I'll be leaving him?"

"Please, you might have a charm large enough to make an army turn around, but you aren't the first socialite to come sniffing at Raff's feet. I see how deeply he cares for you and yet you remain as cold as ice in return. Do you really feel so little for him that you are willing to crush him beneath your feet?"

"Don't pretend to know me Harriet...we don't all wear out hearts on our sleeves. I do not intend to leave Raff for any reason. You might not see the feelings I have but that means nothing. I do not have to prove anything to you."

"Maybe not, but whatever game you are playing better play out with a happy ending."

"Or what?"

"Or this Castle will crumble under your never-ending ice heart. The players will fold like a pack of cards and you'll be left lonelier than you were before you arrived."

Harriet left Valarie, having said her piece and Valarie continued walking. She felt like she was being given more respect and more freedom the longer she stayed at the Castle. Harriet saw more than she'd expected she would, and Valarie dearly wanted to get rid of her but knew that she couldn't. She'd just have to hope that Harriet kept her views to herself and did not share them with the other Castle residents. She suspected that the staff gossiped about her and not with kind words. She knew they thought her beneath the Marquis. Luckily though, those grumbles went unnoticed by those who mattered.

Wandering the gardens had become a personal pleasure for her and she felt she had come a long way from the woman who thought she'd be outed as 'Victor Madden's Mystery Woman.' Interestingly, out of all the places she'd laid her head, she felt the most at home here. The game she'd always played had fallen by the wayside as she realised what she could have here. She'd already stayed longer than she had anywhere else, but she couldn't move on like she had done in the past. Valarie felt like history was to repeat itself once more. How sad, she thought, to not learn from one's mistakes.

Valarie had passed the old groundskeeper and said hello. He looked confused, looking from the sky to her before shaking his head and waving back. Odd, she thought, though perhaps it was rather late in the day to be walking outside. A chill had settled in the air and the light was beginning to fade. Truly she hadn't realised how the day had flown by. Perhaps she ought to go back in.

The gardens were such a wonderful place to relax in and as she walked back towards the Castle at a slow pace, she couldn't help by brush her hands along the flowers as she passed. They felt like silk under her fingertips and she found herself smiling at the wonder of their simple beauty.

She had decided on taking a longer route back to the Castle, just so she could admire the gardens for a moment longer. She'd always had an affinity for being outside but as she felt a shiver go down her spine, and felt the dread swell up inside her, she wondered if perhaps she should have taken a more direct route back.

Turning to glance behind her, she saw the silhouette of a man standing just beyond her line of sight. She could make out the top hat he wore and the cane he carried but nothing else. Who was he? Why was he watching her? The unknown figure took a step in her direction and then another. The man walked towards her with a determined pace and Valarie cowered in fear. In the darkening light, she couldn't make out whether they were friend or foe but she suspected the latter for they had not announced themselves or called out her name.

She picked up her pace until she was full out running to he Castle in fear. She could clearly hear the footsteps of her pursuer and realised that the cane was just for show and certainly wasn't slowing him down.

Valarie wished she was closer to the Castle, but she wasn't and so, altered her path in the hope that she would lose the man chasing her. She needed to be somewhere safe, perhaps she could sneak into the secret garden and lose him.

She cursed the awkwardness of her dress as she hiked her skirts up higher to run faster. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest and she felt like she could collapse at any given moment. She could hear nought but her own breathing and wondered triumphantly if she had lost her pursuer.

Hands clamped own upon her person, their grip vice like and unyielding. She struggled, of course she did, for she was determined to survive this night. When her attacker tried to silence her, she bit down hard upon his gloved hand. He pulled back but his grip remained tight upon her body. She tried in vain to turn around and unmask him, but his grip wouldn't allow it. She could feel the numbness spread up her arms the longer he held her captive and Valarie became even more determined to be set free.

Was this Victor? Had he come for his revenge like he'd promised? Or worse, was someone else holding her hostage...her stalker perhaps?