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TRUE to his word, Arthur returned less than an hour later "May I enter, Countess?"

She finished brushing - or twigging - her teeth, stuffed a bunch of mint in her mouth and turned "Yes, sir, you may"

"Has the vow-day dress been decided upon?"

"After a little argument over color, it has indeed"

"Color?" he asked, as he walked in, a flask of wine and two goblets in his hands

"She had her heart set on the red, but I talked her into the green The red kind of clashed with her hair The green co oblets down and filled thes than oblets

"How long were you standing there?" Isabel asked, accepting the wine

"Long enough to recognize why I have these feelings for you, Izzy"

She lowered her head hiding her grin "You do know I only afford those closest to me to call me Izzy"

"I do"

"So you are assu I have allowed you into h hopes, and so I a the chance Have ne&039;er waited in e in &039;Tis a terrible fault of mine"

"Yes, you brute!"

"My belief, beautiful lady, is that you can handle the brute"

The look in his eyes told her his intentions were so very not honorable Which was as sexy as sexy could be

She backed up "Mary could return at any moment"

"She could," he said as he backed up and kicked the door closed and then turned the lock "But she would have a very terrible ti"

"I don&039;t suppose you put the Do Not Disturb sign out there?"

"No one will disturb us At the risk of being beheaded"

Isabel gulped "You&039;re teasing, yes?"

"You tell ?"

"You would never hurt anyone like that So, yes, I know you&039;re teasing"

He held up his goblet "To the most unusual woman I have e&039;er met, Isabel And the most full of heart and care and passion I am so happy to have met you"

They clinked and drank, and then she answered, "And to thee and long, but had I not traveled it, and not met you, I feel it would have been such a loss You really have been a new treasure to reen eyes locked on blue

Then they sat in the respective chairs, which was probably ainto bed Although she wasn&039;t quite certain at the moment why that was a better idea

"You entranceabout you calls to ies for it This feeling is somewhat beyond my ken I happened to be at the door fro special for Mary &039;Twas very special As are you"

She sipped her wine again "As was I with Mary&039;s news that you had ordered yourIt was a wonderful thing for you to do"

"First, I did not order it, Isabel I est"

She nodded "Also that Gwen suggested that the men pay her for her services"

"We have always encouraged all of our people to offer services for pay" He waved a hand "Should a person provide a special service, should he or she not be awarded for such? Seems only fair There must be a name for such a practice, but I know not what it would be"

"In my land it is called capitalism"

"I have ne&039;er heard of such, but any ill do"

"Whatever I thank you and Gwen for pro capitalism It honestly makes your men and women work harder at their tasks, and be rewarded"

"I would like to hear your suggestions of how to bring s of the castle"

"Right now?"

"No, not at this verymore tales of you"

She shook her head "I have blabbed on too far You rinned "So you haven&039;t told another soul"

He laughed and then took another drink of wine "I must say that I know not much of what you say You use words I have ne&039;er heard Yet I enjoy atte to puzzle them out by the words that surround them"

Isabel felt a buzz run down her body, and she knew it had nothing to do with the wine "I try at tiet to at times"

"Please do not try I am much enas of your mind And your beauty And - "

"Stop! I appreciate the flattery, Arthur, but it e heart," Arthur said, with a grin "And I could go on, but noill stop" He refilled both of their goblets, although she&039;d barely put a dent in her own to begin with But she didn&039;t protest She was too freakin&039; happy just to be with him

Merlin is happy, Arthur and Isabel He is still in a deep sleep, but he smiles as well

Arthur frowned "Did you hear that?"

Isabel didn&039;t knohether to say yes or no

"Hear what?" she asked, deciding noncoo

"About Merlin?"

"Merlin?"

Arthur shook his head "Ittricks"