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Patrick, had found and removed an old set of lawn furniture froarden, my lady, is best enjoyed when you can sit and watch your fruits of labor grow, yes?" he coave you?" Maria adlasses "I don't want to see you working outside again until I see you wearing that hat"

"I planted a whole row of parsnips, just for the two of us Maria," Alannah told her, having discovered that no one else seeon I heard a while ago?"

"Yes it was, Señor Bernard has cohter," Maria told her "Señor Bernard is a merchant from Port Lira that makes house calls specifically for the Señora " With an unreadable quirk to her eyebrow, she added without looking at Alannah, "He expects that his daughter, Rosemary, will be wed our Dominic sometime in the near future"

Alannah found herself speechless by this unexpected bit of news, she looked away as tears forh it had turned over

"Wh…as that Maria? Dominic? To be married?"

As if in answer, a nuarden but Alannah had eyes only for two of theirl in the white dress with flowing tuht, she hung possessively to his arm At that moment Alannah eyes and Dominic's locked, he looked alone It was if at that h his eyes, she saw a s a peasant dress, with sun-tanned skin, dirty bare feet and dirt under her fingernails Though the sun shone brightly the day seemed immediately dimmer, more remote, Alannah shivered, as she stood to excused herself, their conversation suddenly turned in her direction

"Who pray tell is that, my love" Rosemary asked with a beautifully dimpled smile when she spotted Alannah

Dominic, his eyes still locked on Alannah, his expression one of sadness He looked over at Rosemary and replied after another uson Alannah, I would like you to meet Señorita Rosemary Bernard"

Alannah aardly, walked over to her but uncertain what to do Alannah had tears in her eyes and she felt like a wretched fool "Pleased to meet you," she said as she turned crimson to the tips of her ears, she said quickly, "excuse o inside and wash up"