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"You are a married man, sir," Isana replied, with no trace of accusation anywhere in the phrase It was considerably hly inappropriate"

"In truth," Aquitaine replied, "I have already certified my divorce from Invidia, effective as of today"

"What a terrible burden has been lifted from your shoulders," Isana said

Aquitaine inhaled slowly, through his nose, and exhaled the same way Isana felt the faintest trace of frustration fro

"I would prefer," Aquitaine said, "to have this discussion privately"

Isana regarded hi for him to finish his sentence

"Please," Aquitaine added, his voice not quite a growl

Veradis cleared her throat, and said, "I ait outside, my lady"

"As you wish," Isana said "But Araris stays with ested he'd begunbefore Isana had finished the sentence He held it open for Veradis, then closed it behind her as she left

Aquitaine smiled "You don't trust me, lady?"

Isana smiled at him and did not answer

Aquitaine let out a brief, rather harsh laugh "There are feould behave in such a ard myself as an unreasonable man, but neither do I react well to discourtesy and disrespect"

"If you were the First Lord," she replied, "that ht be a problem But you aren't"

He narrowed his eyes "Aren't I?"

"Not yet," Isana said in a tone that stopped just short of being belligerent She met the man's eyes calmly for a full minute of silence, then dropped her voice into a ister "Unless the Senate has already told you how the outco would fall out, I suppose"

Aquitaine shook his head and responded in kind "Valerius, of course, assures me that it will all happen precisely the way he intends Laave him another sharp look, and his ht I'd coloat over your dismissal, lady?"