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"Oh, thank you kindly, dewan" Captain Niall did not look particularly upset by the insult Perhaps it wasn’t an insult

As the deas to be her patron, Sophronia figured hehi! It isn’t fair that he be punished with the a olf isn’t fair Your friend there will have to learn that soon, too"

Sophronia reflected on her own reaction to Soap’s affections "I think that’s one thing he’s accustomed to already, my lord"

The dewan said, "I think we can estion," said Sophronia "If we could find so--why not just take it north, as we intended? You can travel during the day and night that way, and won’t lose ti with you, of course She kno to drive the train"

The deas intrigued despite himself "I could declare the train property of the Crown Vampires stashed some fancy tech on it, you say? Well, if the Pickleood idea to hide it away in Scotland"

Sophronia heartily agreed "Give the transair It’ll be safe in olf hands It’ll be a little while before the pack leaves, correct? By then they will have made it impossible for the Pickle at Sophronia with new eyes "I see what you mean, Captain"

Sophronia continued to stroke Soap’s fur, unconcerned by this scrutiny

The dewan surprised her, though "While you have been plotting, little , as sitting only slightly too close to Captain Niall

"It seenored your request to join the pack, Lady Kingair I realize now that even if I order you back to that school, you’ll keep running away Send the pack off to India and next thing I know, you’ll stoay on a steae froe," said the dewan His eyes were speculative

Sidheag looked startled at that

"But I think a long engagement would cover all but the sternest of societal sticklers If you’re in foreign cli you take, and if you’re et back, no one will be the wiser Overseas ca confused

Sidheag said, "I don’t follow, my lord"

"I’ll send the announcement to the Chirrup," said the dewan to Captain Niall

Captain Niall nodded He didn’t look upset, only resigned

Sidheag cottoned on at last "Oh, dear me no! IWhat an awful thing to do!"

"Enough You cannot object to an arrangedlady, wish to take up residence with a pack of olves Lord Maccon is gone, and in the absence of blood relations, you at least ain in the saht, you know, Sidheag And you could always cry off later, Ilooked sideways at the handsome olf captain "You don’t object?"

Captain Niall said, face inair Pack leadership, if I were engaged to the Lady of Kingair"

"That sounds sensible enough," replied Sidheag, sounding a little disappointed