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Her room

It seemed the inn was nearly full, and there was only one roo it with her, Vale intended to sleep in the common roohed and looked to where a foot Mouse on a leash Or, rather, Mouse was leading the footed the poor an dragging to the next post

"Ready, my sweet?"

Melisande looked up to find that while she had been puzzling out their e, Vale had finished his transaction with the innkeeper

She nodded and took his ar to wear out that footman’s arm," Vale commented as they strode inside "Do you know that they toss dice to see ill take hihtly walks?"

"The winner walks hi

"No, the loser," he replied, then frowned

A shout of boisterous laughter had coe blackened bea coh it was the height of summer Every table was croith travelers-- their suppers

"Through here," Vale said, and guided her to the right into a s room, already laid with sturdy earthenware dishes and a loaf of what looked like fresh brown bread

"Thank you," Melisande murmured as he held a chair for her She sat just as the footht in Mouse The terrier iainst her for a pat "And how are you, Sir Mouse? Did you have a nice constitutional?"

"Nearly got a rat, ’e did, "

Melisande smiled at the terrier and ruffled his ears "Well done"

The innkeeper hurried in with a bottle of wine, a girl followed behind with aroom for a bit Five ain

"Toan to say, but was interrupted by a particularly loud yell from the common room

Vale frowned at the door They were sheltered in their private room, but the constant buzz of noise could still be heard

He looked across the table at her, his brows drawn over his blue-green eyes "You ht I don’t like this crowd"

Melisande nodded She always locked the door if she could or stood a chair against it Anyway, Vale was usually right in the rooht"

She wondered if he was re "There wasn’t a lock on the door"

"I’ll have one of the footht"

They finished the meal in companionable silence after that It ell past ten by the tiot to her roo as she laid out a fresh chemise The room was small but neat, with a bed, a table, and so two tiny paintings of horses on the wall by the door

"Hoas your dinner?" Melisande asked the maid She went to theand found her rooood, h I’ve never likedat the laces of her gown

"Let ive ood, and I’m quite happy Now, Mr Pynch declares that fish is his favorite thing to eat Can you fancy that?"

"I suppose there are many people who like fish," Melisande said diploht="0" width="4">Suchlike looked skeptical "Yes,born by the sea, liking fish, that is"

"Mr Pynch was born by the sea?"

"Yes,ways away and hie like"

Melisande studied her lady’sShe would’ve thought the valet too old and dour for Suchlike, but theabout hi with her maid’s affections She made a

"There,the chemise over Melisande’s head "You look very pretty in that The lace becoht up a pitcher of water There’s solasses, too, should you care for a drink before bed Will you want your hair braided tonight?"

"No, it’s fine," Melisande said "I’ll brush it out myself Thank you"

The maid bobbed a curtsy and went to the door

Melisande re "Oh, and Suchlike?"

"My lady?"

"Be sure that you sleep where our men can hear you Lord Vale doesn’t like the crowd in the common room"

"Mr Pynch didn’t like their looks either," the ht"

Melisande’s heart warmed toward the stoic valet At least he was protective of Suchlike "I’ht, my lady Sleep well" And Suchlike left the room