As soon as he was gone, Louisa rounded on me. 

 'Oh! How could you? I'd never have thought it of you, never!'

 I gazed at her, mystified.

 'Never thought what, dear?' She choked back a sob. 

 'Back there. Flirting with him! Sharing secret smiles! Making me seem like a fool!’

 'Louisa, that's nonsense. Louisa, wait!'

 But she was running towards the castle and didn't look back. 

 I shook my head. How ridiculous. Of course I hadn't been flirting. I'd simply been enjoying a little intelligent conversation... And if he'd enjoyed it too I couldn't help that. What a mountain out of a molehill! Just because he'd smiled rather warmly and said he'd be honoured t...

Please subscribe to keep reading.