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"Hi," Stacy said, clearly confused "Is there a proble teens "Enjoy your h table to refill the oblets Two of the men left to join the troupe of acrobats who had entered the hall to perform their last act of the season

"Deftly handled, Jayr" Robin of Locksley came to sit in one of the vacant chairs "I am supposed to be the Kyn most irresistible to women I believe I as happen" Jayr glanced at the girl, who seerossed in a conversation with her companions "I shall have to speak to the er exhaust fan"

"Who is this To television actor much admired by adolescent females of this era" Ruefully she ran a hand over her short hair "It seems I bear a moderate resemblance to him"

"Those brats are a nuisance," Byrne muttered

Locksley leaned close to whisper, "Soe does not attract irls"

"I could be more careful about how s them to ave her turnedAt least you could get some pleasure out of the the cloth red with spilled bloodwine The hot srew thick as Byrne lurched to his feet

"Jayr, with nored the astonished faces around him and strode out of the hall

"Harlech, see to the visitors Forgive me, my lord" Jayr bowed quickly to Locksley and then hurried off after Byrne

Chapter 4

Jayr waited until she and Byrne were alone in his chary with Locksley, my lord I aue runs aith his wits" Byrne shrugged out of his mantle and surcoat and tossed theht throw the faux crown out the , but at the last moment turned and thrust it at her "Howcalf eyes at you?"

"Not very ar crown she placed on a lower shelf, out of sight "It happens once or twice a season"

He didn’t like that "You’ve nae said a word to ht I should have to, my lord I’ve dealt with them as quietly and discreetly as possible" Why was he so upset over the girl’s behavior? "I spoke to Stacy while she was bespelled and ain"

"Where were her parents?" he asked "Why did they not accompany her and keep her in check?"

Byrne’s disdain for the es in human society The first ti the Aette movement, he had declared that mortal society irls today are per to keep the irony out of her voice "There are fewer dangers to theroups to public places Stacy ith her friends"

"Those giggling brats? They were as young and silly as she" He swept the air with his hand "All of them should be locked up by their fathers until they can be er arrange ht face "Mothers and fathers both work, oftenand better education for their children"

"Children who apparently have nothing better to do than toss theave her a suspicious look "’Tis not aether carefully "It seems as if they have too much freedom, but I think they pay for it in loneliness" She reer’s eyes "They are denied affection and the closeness of fairl" Byrne braced his hands on either side of one , looking down at the gardens "Did you fancy her?"

"Stacy?" She felt bewildered "No, my lord I fed earlier, before the performance"

"I saw you kiss her brow"

If he s, out of respect for each other "It was to co blood from her"

"I dinnae mean her blood"

Or perhaps all the respect was on her side "I may look like a boy, my lord," she said stiffly, "but I have never desired other females"

"So you feel no desire at all" He made it a statement

Jayr supposed when it came to sex that she wasan abstinent life had not been her choice, only her obligation