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"You're hoed

"I I need a bath"

A glimmer of a smile touched his face "So you do" He walked over to the bellpull

"I already ordered one drawn The maids should be here any minute to fill it"

Dunford lowered his hand and turned around "I suppose you're wondering why I' to do with ht you'd like to know" He watched her expression change from forlorn distrust to complete joy

"Oh, but that's wonderful!" she exclaimed "Have they named him?"

"William," he said sheepishly "After odfather It's quite an honor"

"Oh, yes You hted"

"They are quite"

It was at that point that they ran out of things to say Henry stared at Dunford's feet, he stared at her forehead Finally she blurted out, "I really need to bathe"

A knock sounded on the door, and twobuckets of water They pulled the bath out of its storage space in the dressing rooan to fill it

Henry stared at the bath

Dunford stared at Henry, i her in the bath Finally he swore and left the roo a bit pen She even donned one of her gowns, lest he think she earing her ive hi he was so frequently in her thoughts

He aiting for her in the sitting roolass of whiskey next to hi on her face with an expression that could only be called tortured

"You look lovely, Hen" He sounded as if he wished she didn't

"Thank you You look nice, too You always look nice"

"Would you like a drink?"