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The ie was pressing a steaht upon her lady "Shall I call for Lady Maris to attend our guests?" asked Maella

"Nay Nay," Allegra forced herself to sound calm, forced the spots that danced before her eyes to disappear She could not bring Maris into this ht how to handle it "Maris is in the Village," she explained, "And the ache in one" She made a smile of her lips, and bravely turned to look at Michael

Oh, God, it’s Michael After so many years, how have You delivered hi not to sound too eager "You are likely weary fro journey"

"Aye, a bath would be ra reer man "I cannot attend thee myself, Sir Victor, but a bath will be prepared for you as well"

"’Twould be ested

Merle spoke "Maris is in the village, tending to the sick I’ve sent a man at arms to fetch her, but likely she will not return until the evening meal"

"Very well," Victor replied, his disappoint man’s discomfort One of the maids could see to hiht in herthat her face didn’t show the high color that heated it, and that her husband had noticed nothing untoward, she led their guest out of the great hall to one of the large guest chambers

Mo buckets upon buckets of steaers froarters She had to force her attention to the task, else her fingers would travel up the curve of his calves to relearn their strength

To touch him

How can this be? How can this be? Herthe incredulity that swept through her each time she looked at the ed God for since o How could he cohter?

Allegra tahts on the fact that he had finally come to her That he was here

For of course Michael did not know that Maris was his daughter She’d tell him and then all would be well And then, est Bon as a husband… Nay That she could not do There would be another solution

Michael would see to it

Aout a tunic and hose from Merle’s trunks to clothe Michael after his bath Boys fro water Maella sprinkled dried lavender over the filling tub The roora’s nerves and it was all she could do to keep fro at theo you to see that Verna has found the other tub and is serving Sir Victor," she said at last, uncaring of the shrewd look her maidservant flashed at her

"Aye,at the two other maidservants who still assisted her mistress

No sooner had Maella brushed out the doorway than Allegra found other contrived excuses to send the re servants away…and at last she found herself alone with Michael

He rested comfortably in the tub that had been fashioned to hold a body as large as Merle’s, eyes closed restfully A wad of soft linen propped his neck up frora knelt, folding his tunic, and watched as steam rose from the water His fine blond hair was plastered to his neck, and the fine features she’d never forgotten were flushed with the heat He breathed easily, and she allowed herself the luxury of re the warmth of his smooth, muscular chest

As she watched, one ice blue eye slowly opened and his gaze rested knowingly upon her "At last," he iven up hope that we should be alone"