RUMAL PAUSED OUTSIDE CATHERINE'S ROOM and stared at Leseach.

'Is she still asleep?' he asked in surprise.

The Northerner lifted her chin and levelled a straight look at him. 'Yes.'

The unexpected abrupt tone caused Rumal to shoot her a quizzical glance, but Leseach remained impassive. With a shrug he continued on his way down the corridor and climbed the stairs to the main deck, seeking Kassie. He spotted her mass of bronze curls, the cool wind blowing them ...