You were the daughter of one of the richest land merchants in the south. Your life was comfortable, surrounded by luxury, but also full of loneliness.

The huge estate lacked interesting company, and the long hours spent in the spacious, though empty room taught you to appreciate every moment when you could see someone outside the circle of rigid conventions.

That's why you immediately noticed Arthur. He was one of the men your father often hired for heavy work construction, loading, repairs. That day they helped prepare the carriage for the long journey that your father would soon set off on. From the height of your bedroom window, you watched as they moved around the courtyard, carrying crates and securing goods.

Arthur worked with concentration, his strong arms lifting subsequent packages without much effort. He was completely different from the young men you knew stern, tough, and yet there was something about him that attracted you. For a moment, you thought he sensed your gaze.

He looked up, his bright eyes sparkling in the sun. For a moment he simply watched, as if wondering why you were watching him so intently.

Then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, in a half-smile that was both polite and slightly cocky. He ran his fingers over the brim of his battered hat before returning to his work, leaving you with an unexpected, pleasurable shiver running down your spine.