South and Camilla make the long walk up veined marble steps to Tenney House, hand in hand. Unnoticed are the tiny droplets of blood that fall from the tip of Camilla's glove. Overlooked is the stare of the driver or the piercing gaze of the man still holding the car door.

Halfway up the stairs, Camilla tips her head back to look at the house. South knows what this house looks like, from every angle in day or night, and instead fixes his attention on her. Not quite a smile on his face.

The gilded front door is opened for them, pleasantries are exchanged, but otherwise, little is said. The lady of the house is already asleep and under strict orders not to be woken.

Secrets that claw their way into Tenney Home under cover of night are not for her ears.

More stairs are climbed, these made of highly polished hardwood. The sound of their steps muffled by a blood red carpet runner that runs the length of a darkened hallway.

Gas lanterns flicker from the walls, letting shadows dance before them. Until, at last, they arrive in front of South Tenney's suite. A suite which he will now be sharing with Camilla.

An older man and a cheery younger woman he doesn't recognize in the dark are waiting outside the door.

"In thirty minutes we will be in to change you for bed," the older man rasps.

South is accustomed to the ways of his family home. Camilla is not.

When he nods and opens the door, South bows his head and watches her walk through the door with her shoulders rolled back and head held high.

An unbidden smile quirks up one side of his mouth.

Camilla is drawn to a large writing desk he often sat at as a child. Her gloved hand running over the dark wood. A little gasp escapes her lips, and South knows what she must have found.

Matching accountability logs.

His arms drape over her shoulders and pull her close. Camilla draws in a breath against his throat before she whispers, "Together. We can do this together."

The End

Did you love reading about South Tenney? If so, guarantee you'll adore Dominick DuBois. You can read more about a tattooed grumpy hero in Dance For Me, which you can find on my profile @ajArnault

This book is spicier than Riding South 😉