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"Is that you talking, or Amanvah?" Leesha asked

Rojer threw up his hands "Corespawned if I know"

It was nearly ht when Rojer finally left Leesha watched hi with Lusy

If Kendall is willing, there’s nothing you can do to stop this, she would say, pausing for the shock of the words to set in All you can do it delay it and hope the girl cootiate, but ask for ridiculous things …

She shook herself There would be tiet six hours before Wonda and the children co on the porch

Leesha closed the door and went straight to her bedroo a trail of hairpins and shoes Her dress was falling as she entered the rooh She cli rituals Her face and teeth would have to survive a few hours

It felt like she had just closed her eyes when there was a pounding at the door Leesha sat bolt upright, wondering how the night could have passed so soon

But then she opened her eyes, and saw the rooloards

The thu out of the rooht sleep naturally, and now felt worse than she had theHer head throbbed with agony at every rap on the wood

Either there’s so to death on the other side of that door, or there’s going to be Leesha uise her displeasure as she opened the door, only to find herht It’s the only explanation

Elona looked her up and down as she stood frazzled and fuirl Folk are already whispering that the count may have an heir on the way"

Leesha crossed her ared "A wink here, a nudge there Nothing to hold before a ot drunk and stuck the count in front of his carriage driver, Leesha Too late to pull the bet now"

"We didn’t do it in front of …" Leesha began, but cut herself off Why was she even engaging? Her bed still beckoned "Why are you here in the ht," Elona said "Since when are you in bed so early?"

Leesha breathed It was a fair point She was used to receiving visitors at all hours, butfor an invitation and pushed past Leesha "Put the kettle on, that’s a girl Nights are turning chill as a coreling’s heart"

Leesha closed her eyes, counting to ten before closing the door and refilling the kettle Elona, of course, didn’t lift a finger to help She was in the sitting roo chair was by no means the most comfortable place to sit, but Elona took it anyway, if only because she knew Leesha preferred it

Leesha kept her dignity as she settled on a divan, back straight "Why are you here, Mother?"

Elona sipped her tea, ars "Got news"

"Good or bad?" Leesha asked, already knowing the answer She could not recall a tiood news

"Bit of both, from where you stand," Elona said "I don’t think you’re alone"

"Alone?" Leesha asked

Elona arched her back, rubbing her free hand on her sto, just in time to distract from yours"

Leesha tried to speak, but no words would co time "You’re …"

"Sick as a cat, and my flow ent come," Elona confirmed "How that’s even possible is beyond me, but there it is"

"It’s certainly possible," Leesha said "You’re only forty-f--"