"Pray you ignore the dust. We will get the room cleaned and furnished in a more likeable fashion later," I entreated as we stepped into the back left room of the house, the room I intended to give him. At first, Gareth had put up a reason to sleep in the stables and to keep out of sight of me. Being a stubborn woman, I pleaded with him until he accepted that I felt safer with a protector down the hall than in the shed.

"The dust cannot diminish the room, dear lady. It is more than I could ever ask for," Gareth replied thankfully as he ducked under the doorway into the space. Furnished with but one desk, one older bureau and a large bed, it certainly seemed spare to me. Two heavy paned windows faced the back of the property and the side away from Ingolstadt, allowing plenty of light for now.

"You will need more blankets as the winter progresses and a lamp. I think I have one in the cellar," I continued thoughtfully as I stripped the top sheet off the bed, uncovering thick woolen blankets and a down pillow. Luckily, there were no spider webs nor dust upon it as the desk and bureau had.

Gareth steps thudded up next to me and I looked down without thinking about it to realize that he had no shoes. Now that wouldn't do at all. Planting my hands on my hips like a mother, I made an evaluation of his clothes much to his dismay.

"Fortunately, I am accomplished at sowing and stitching therefore all we need is clothe."

"For what may I ask, lady Evangeline?" he asked cautiously, almost fearfully as he stood huddled into himself from my scrutiny. Immediately, I felt ashamed for inducing such a reaction from him and came closer to lay a hand on his arm.

"I merely wish to make you newer clothes. Yours simply do not seem adequate enough for these cold winters. And you need shoes," I paused to think about my husband's wardrobe. "I can make most of those from Alrik's-"

A stab of pain shot from my chest to my stomach and I removed my hand immediately. Alrik…I hadn't thought of him since last night. In all the excitement, I forgot the hollow pain of his loss. Was it wrong to not feel mourning only a few months after his death?

Agitated worry crept up in my soul at the pained expression on the lady's fair face. What was troubling her so? Who was Alrik? Perhaps the deceased husband whom lived here previous? Whoever he was, he was causing such grief on the poor woman that the silent tears in her eyes could barely be contained. For a brief moment, I wondered whether those same blue eyes would well with emotion for me. How very silly of me to think such things.

"Good lady, if making me clothes and shoes will be difficult, I plead you to not bother. I am content in my current garments," I reassured her timidly, not sure of how to comfort her. Blinking rapidly, she caught hold of herself and looked to me in embarrassed self-annoyance and wringed her hands together.

"No, no, dear Gareth, it is nothing of the sort. I just had not thought of my departed husband in a while and it caught me off my guard. Excuse me for that."

When she walked lightly to the window by the desk and looked out with lost, soft eyes, I wanted nothing more than to soothe the agony she was quietly bearing. Of course, I knew what marriage was and that she must have loved the now dead man. I could barely think of harm coming to this angel now after knowing her for but a day.

Shuffling my large, awkward feet, I looked down, trying to fathom a compliment, an apology, something to help.

"I am sad for your loss, Evangeline. It pains me to see you so agonized. If there is anything…anything I can…"

The words died in my throat when she looked back to me, face placid now and eyes depthless in thought. Slowly she nodded and forced a tiny smile before approaching.

"Let's get some work done before nightfall."

The day was quiet but comforting in its silence, I decided as I finished slicing the cured ham for our evening meal. Most of the hours, I had spent up in Alrik's room, reminiscing and saying farewell to the haunted memorabilia within it. Things of his were packed up except the essentials which I had given to Gareth such as razors for shaving, brushes, the like. Tomorrow I would sit down and sew him a coat, pants, shirts and devise a pair of boots. It was moments like this that I was grateful for the annoying classes I had been put through to become a more accomplished lady.

A creak upstairs alerted me that the guest was on his way down again. Darkness reigned outside once again and the snow fell gently, sure to cover all tracks by the morn. In the spare room, we had moved a large burnished tub from Alrik's room earlier on and I had instructed him on how to fill it. To a degree, it was amusing and sweet at how little he knew about how to do things.

"Good evening, Lady Evangeline," his rough, soft voice greeted from the hallway. Turning from the kitchen table, I saw his large form darkening the doorway, blocking the firelight from the parlor.

"Good evening, Gareth. Do you feel replenished from your bath?" I asked politely as I set out glasses and plates out for the meal. He paused awkwardly before shuffling into the kitchen lamp light. The hood was still pulled low over his face but the grime was off his hands and he smelled less wood-like.

"Yes, thank you. Would you like me to refill it for you?" he asked timidly as I pulled out a chair and bade him sit.

"No, no, not tonight. A good meal and a warm bed is all I am looking forward to. Would you like some wine with supper?"

"Yes, please, ma'am," I replied cautiously as I picked up the metal glass for her to fill. Whether she chose those ones for supper because of the teacup I couldn't say but I was glad she did. Gently, she poured it to halfway full with this smooth, deep red liquid that smelled rich and exotic. Lifting it to my nose, I sniffed it softly, trying not to draw her attention.

"Gareth, wait until the food is served before drinking, please," Evangeline laughed a tender reprimand as she glided back to the table with a bowl. Hurriedly setting down the cup, I barely avoided spilling it on the white table cloth that adorned the surface. It was another custom I was not aware of. Drink only when the food is served.

"My apologies."

She served a heavy ladle of some orange, sweet smelling yam to the plate in front of me before stopping to look at me curiously.

"Have you had wine before, dear Gareth?" she asked gently, no sting or cruelty behind the question. Growing accustomed to answering such things, I meekly shook my head in the negative. A surprised, eager look dawned on her and she went to serve the ham and slices of bread.

"This shall be an experience for you then. Wine is intoxicating after only a cup or so. Have you ever been intoxicated?" she questioned as she settled down and picked up her own glass. Following example, I grasped mine and shook my head. What was it like to be intoxicated? Was it a wise idea to become so now?

"I have not, my lady. It concerns me that I will not be appropriate after drinking wine," I explained in mild humiliation, lowering my gaze to my plate instead of her.

"I am not concerned. Believe me when I say we will drink but one bottle. That is two glasses each and will not render you silly," Evangeline continued to reassure before lifting her glass and holding it out over the table to me. Once again, I followed example and moved it next to hers at which she gently clinked them together. With a graceful movement she brought it to her pursed lips and sipped the bright red drink.

Wary of the last time I had drunk something new, I brought it under my cowl to sip it. This time a rich, healthy flavor rolled over my taste buds, startling yet pleasing. Swishing the cold liquid about in my mouth, I felt it coat every inch before sliding down to my belly where it landed. Once there a great warmth spread up and out through my veins pleasantly. After a moment of surprise, I took another sip to the same results. Oh, yes, I did like this wine.

Restraining laughter during the meal, I watched Gareth as he enjoyed his meal and his wine liberally. Apparently, ham was something new to his taste as well though thoroughly enjoyed. Where on earth had he come from where he hadn't known the taste of wine? What sort of life was he living where he hadn't even had a name? Such questions antagonized me throughout supper but I could not bring them forth. He was clearly enjoying himself and I was not about to pepper it with questions.

What did he look like? I found myself wondering as I poured him a second glass of wine. Why did he keep his hood on at all times? Perhaps it was questions that were better left for when he had settled more comfortably in the home.

"Are you enjoying the affects of the wine?" I asked curiously as we sat after the meal in the parlor, sipping leftover drink. Gareth had settled in the large chaise by the fire, leaving me to choose the couch or settee. Sitting across from him again, I found that I could see just the bottom of his face by firelight.

"Yes, indeed, it makes quite a fine warmth in the veins," he replied lightly, clearly more relaxed than he had been this morning. Unobtrusively, I studied the small portion of his face that was revealed, startled but curious.

The skin was a pallid, gray color unlike any I'd seen before. That part was not strange now since I had seen the skin of his hands. The mouth was full and dark as of a person cold or dead, almost a gray-blue color. A scar ran from the right hand corner of it back into the darkness of the hood, splicing the flesh into a deep groove. Was he horribly scarred? Was that his shame?

"I am glad you are enjoying yourself."

The deep, tingling warmth that had flooded my entire form made my brain swim and my focus waver pleasantly. So this was intoxication. It was increasingly enjoyable, especially with the way it loosened the tense muscles in my shoulders and back. No wonder that so many drank wine and it inspired the poets.

Dazedly, I finished off the deep drink and gazed out across to the angel, taking in her appearance. The firelight reflected a pale cream on her cheeks and the curve of her neck. The locks of acorn were pulled loosely into a bun atop her head, spilling in curls of red about her shoulders. The mahogany of her skirt was like her hair, dark and shimmering.

My head was swimming; I could not look at her any longer without wanting to weep. She was saying something to me, a soft question but I found my focus unwilling to steady upon her.

"M-My apologies. Pardon, ma'am?" I stammered, trying very hard to pay attention to her words. Ringing laughter answered me and I felt her hand upon my shoulder. The tingling that induced matched that of the wine as I looked up at her smiling countenance.

"Let's get you to bed," she murmured laughingly, trying her hardest to haul my huge weight to my feet. Fumblingly, I stood, hand coming out to support my unsteady legs on the wall. Evangeline held my other arm bracingly as she helped me up the stairs, pleased with my inebriation. Once to my room, she scurried forward into the dark to light the lamp. Waveringly, I watched her move the woolen blankets back from the cloud-soft seeming bed.

"Thank you, my lady. I can get myself to bed from here," I pleaded, feeling vague embarrassment at needing her help. The angel smiled at me before leaving the room, biding me goodnight. Once the door closed, I stumbled noisily to the mattress, hot and unsteady. With fumbling hands I stripped off the shirt and trousers before falling into the soft oblivion of the bed.

Never before had I felt something so comfortable and plush like the down of a swan. Barely conscious from the heated wine and the bed, I managed to turn the lamp off with a lazy finger. Darkness swallowed me as sleep rushed up.