Page 27 (1/2)

Thus unchaperoned, The Spotted Custard farted again and floated sedately upward

Rue did not see, hidden under the trees on one side of the clearing, a tall couple The woloves and held the ers interlaced, skin touching skin Lord Maccon had once been a strong enough olf to stand under direct sun, but he was getting weaker, and his wife’s touch was now vital during daylight

He still looked as big and as strong as he had when Rue was a child, but he slept each night touching Lady Maccon, ed ten years to Rue’s twenty as a result His dark brown hair was salted with grey but it orth it His wife’s touch was the only e-bornsloas a hile price to pay

Alexia leaned her dark head on her husband’s shoulder and said, "Good enough now, my love? She’s safely away and on her own"

"Indeed," Conall grudgingly agreed, nestling his chin into his wife’s curls Alexia had forgotten to wear her hat "But safe?" He whispered the query into that glossy hair, still as thick and dark as when they had first otten – the hair, the

Alexia squeezed his hand "She’ll survive and thrive in India It will be good for her to be away from all of this All of us"

"Yes, but will India survive her?" the ondered legiti concern and not his sarcasm "She has resources and friends That’s the best one can ask for in life And I gave her a parasol"

"Oh, indeed, was it the parasol?"

"No, simply a parasol She’s not ready for the parasol… yet I’ this journey as a test of worthiness"

"You think she will be ready when she returns?" Conall drew back to look down into her face

Alexia’s brown eyes were thoughtful "I think this will te for the e but of the kind that could grow dull, stuck here in London"

"I hate it when you are reasonable, wife"

"I know, but you really ought to be accustomed to it by now"

"Never It’s one of yourto do, hidden fro eyes by trees and an early hour

Alexia blushed like a schoolgirl under her tan skin but leaned eagerly into his kiss "Ridiculous man" She pulled away "Now Don’t you think it’s tilowered His a we should send a suhtful "Perhaps"