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the grove and didn't stop running until she was back at the house.
    "Mercy, child, whatever is the matter?" Mrs. Thornfield asked as Analisa burst into the parlor. "You look as though you've seen a ghost."
    Analisa put a hand to her chest. Her heart was fluttering like a wild bird trapped in a cage.
    "Who… who's…" She drew a deep breath. "Who's buried in the crypt in the grove?"
    The housekeeper frowned. "The first master of Blackbriar, I believe."
    "He's dead?"
    "I should hope so, child," Mrs. Thornfield said, displaying one of her rare smiles. "He died over four hundred years ago. Now, what is this all about?"
    "Is Blackbriar Hall haunted?"
    Mrs. Thornfield shrugged. "Rumors of ghosts are not uncommon in houses as old as this one."
    "Have you ever seen one? Here? A ghost?"
    "A ghost? No, child, I've never seen a ghost."
    Analisa sank down on the sofa, her arms folded over her chest. She was cold, so cold.
    "Have you seen something?" Mrs. Thornfield asked, her expression wary.
    "I'm not sure. Last night… I…"
    "What happened last night, child?"
    "I'm not sure. I think it was a dream. But it seemed so real. I heard a voice calling my name, at least I think I heard it, and I went out into the gardens. I saw the crypt there. And a man… a man I've seen before…"
    "I'm sure it was only a dream," Mrs. Thornfield said, her voice brisk. "You needn't worry. There are no ghosts at Blackbriar." She patted Analisa's arm in motherly fashion. "A good hot cup of tea is what you need." Pulling a warm throw from the back of a chair, she draped it around Analisa's shoulders. "I'll bring you one directly."
    "Thank you."
    With a nod, the housekeeper left the room. A few moments later, Sally came in to light the fire. She smiled uncertainly, bobbed a curtsey, and hurried out of the room. She returned a short time later with a tray bearing a cup of tea and a biscuit.
    "Anything else I can get for you, miss?"
    "No, thank you."
    Left alone, Analisa stared into the fire. They probably all thought she was crazy, asking about ghosts. Now that she was sitting there with the sunlight streaming through the windows and a fire blazing cheerfully in the hearth, it all seemed like foolishness.
    The rest of the day passed in a sort of a blur, as if she were seeing everything through a mist, as if she weren't really there at all. She picked at her dinner, causing Mrs. Thornfield to inquire after her health.
    That night, getting ready for bed, she could scarcely remember how she had spent the day.
    Sally came in to light the fire. Mrs. Thornfield brought her a hot cup of tea, and then she was alone. She drank the tea and put the cup on the bedside table, blew out the lamp, slid under the blankets, closed her eyes.
    And heard his voice in her mind, soft as smoke.
    Analisa.
    She put the pillow over her head, hoping to shut him out even though, deep inside, she knew she had been waiting for this moment all day.
    Analisa. Come to me.
    She heard the need in his voice, the longing, and knew she could not resist, knew it was not his need that drew her, but her own.
    Rising, she pulled on her robe, stepped into her slippers, and left the house.
    The light of the full moon brightened her way as she followed the now familiar path to the crypt within the grove.
    And he was there, waiting for her.
    "Analisa."
    No one had ever caressed her name the way he did.
    She stared up at him. He was tall, so very tall. And dark. His hair, his clothing, all were black. As black as the night that surrounded them. "Who are you?"
    "Alesandro de Avallone," he replied with a low bow. "Master of Blackbriar Hall."
    " What are you?"
    "One night perhaps I shall tell you."
    "Why not now?"
    "The time is not right."
    "Have you come home to stay?"
    He hesitated, and then nodded.
    Analisa wrapped her arms around her middle. "Thank you for allowing me to stay here while you were away. I'll leave in the morning."
    "No!" He made a slashing motion with his hand. "There is no need for you to