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deadbolt.
    "Aye, little one. I am cursed to haunt the chamber bed, and to never know another human's touch for all eternity."
    "You never told me the entire story though, did you?"
    "Nay,” he said with a shake of his head. “'Twas not a story one should tell a babe. ‘Tis not pleasant, Isabel. I was not an—honorable man."
    "Would you tell me now?” She smiled to encourage him, and he grinned in return.
    "As you wish.” Taking a long breath, he leaned forward, his forearms resting on his powerful thighs. “I was caught in a tryst with a nobleman's daughter and murdered in this chamber bed. The maid's mother thrust a knife through my heart."
    He stared down at his clasped hands, and she admired his long tan fingers.
    "She was a pretty young maid,” he continued. “I oft wonder what became of her."
    "Did you love her?” Isabel regretted the question the moment it passed her lips. She didn't really want to know. The thought of him loving a woman, although ages ago, bothered her more than it should.
    "Nay, I did not love her. Nor any other woman. I used and discarded them. I was a rake and a rogue of the worst caliber. I was a fool,” he said softly, staring off into space.
    "Go on,” she prodded softly.
    William returned his gaze to the study of his hands. “With the knife still clutched in the woman's hand, she placed a curse upon me. She condemned me to walk among the living, never to touch, and never to roam far from the chamber bed. If I dare to break these bonds, I shall cease to exist. Sent to a place where there is no sound and no color. Purgatory."
    An odd sense of relief that he hadn't loved the maid mixed with the wave of sorrow washing over her. “Is there no way to end the curse?"
    He lifted his head, and she felt caught in his deep blue gaze. “Nay, Isabel. The old hag spat her words upon me and here I shall remain. ‘Tis a fitting punishment for one such as me."
    "Oh, William."
    "Do not fret, sweeting. This is my existence, and I have come to accept things as they are.” Casting her a crooked grin, he said, “All ‘tis brighter now that you are here."
    He rose and stepped closer to the bed. “Now, you should rest. Your uncle will bring your meal soon."
    "Will you be here when I wake up?"
    "I will always be near you as long as you remain here at the manor, for that is my boundary when the sun is high, or the stars alight the night sky."
    Always near, yet forever untouchable. Isabel's heart fell with the sad thought. She wondered if the old woman realized she would be cursing not only William, but a woman four hundred years in the future. To never experience his touch, his kiss, was a cruel curse indeed.
    As if he would ever want such a thing from her, she silently admitted.
    "Isabel, I must ask, although ‘tis none of my affair. What, pray tell, did you see in that—that cockscomb?"
    "I have no idea.” She cast him an honest smile, but it quickly faded. “Tell me the truth, William. Do I look all that horrible? I know I'm a mess, but is it really that bad?"
    He paused before responding. Somehow that didn't make her feel any better.
    "I fear, I am no judge. You are as beautiful to me as the day we first met. You will always be so in my eyes."
    "Great. A pudgy, freckled face girl with frizzy pigtails."
    He laughed softly. “Nay, little one, but do not distress yourself as to your appearance. I am certain that all will be well when the bandages are removed. Has the physician not told you thus?"
    She sighed. “You're right. Worrying about it won't do any good. Thanks for being honest. In your own way."
    Smiling, William faded as he stepped away from the bed. “My pleasure, poppet."
    With a sigh she settled back in the bed, taking care not to move too much.
    "From a pudgy girl to a drab bitch. Gee, I sure am coming up in the world. Wouldn't my parents be proud?” she mumbled acerbically. Well, it beat being an angel that belonged in heaven, she supposed.

Chapter Three
    Isabel slowly opened