Evaline:
My breath came out in little clouds as I pulled the shawl tighter around me, my fingers clutching at the soft wool as though it could chase away the stubborn bite of evening air.
April had arrived with her promises of spring, and yet the chill lingered... like the shadow of winter reluctant to leave. At least the snow had stopped. For nearly two weeks now, the sun had dared to stay longer in the sky, its warmth fighting against the stubborn patches of ice that clung to the grounds of the estate.
I let my gaze wander across the expanse of the gardens that were once buried in white, but were now showing hints of green peeking through the melting slush.
The air smelled damp, tinged with the earthy freshness of thawing soil. Soon, flowers would bloom here again. Soon, there would be color everywhere instead of this endless gray and white.
