Page 31 - RotalTutor

Hence, the same family crest. The other room was a slightly smaller bedroom but had two beds in it for Elizabeth and Marina. They weren’t nearly as large as hers, but, by testing one, she knew they would be comfortable. She returned to the sitting room and looked around. There was a large fireplace on one wall, flanked by windows on each side. She went to one and looked out. The beautiful rolling hills for which Bernodia was famous spread out before her. She could see a sparkling lake nestled between some wooded hills, and a rolling meadow not far from the castle. The beauty of it took her breath away. She was determined to ride there as soon as she could. As she turned back into the room, the picture above the mantle caught her eye. She went over to it and stared intently. It was a painting of her own mother, painted when she was much younger. She felt the homesickness that she had thought she had put out of her heart wash over her. She breathed deeply to swallow the tears that were pressing their way to her eyes. She was so caught up in the moment that she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her. “Do you like it?” She turned to see Alexander standing behind her, smiling as usual. “Mother had it hung there. She loves your mother very much, and it is one of her prized possessions.” Louise didn’t answer directly, but turned back to the 29