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"Being the sister of an earl, she would be an advantageoushappened to me, she would inherit my earldoms Many of her suitors seek to hold her hand and shed my blood But she has told me that she will hed softly "A maston would be less likely to want you dead Do you have anyone in mind for her?"

"Why are you curious to know?"

"Is it Edestion and she could see in his eyes that it ell off the mark "You do not think she would be happy with hi you with her happiness, Colvin What sort of man would you consider for her then?"

"She is a second year learner I have not begun to search in earnest"

"That is not what I asked you What will you look for?"

He was quiet a ht tiain It could arrive at anyas Demont’s influence holds sway, there will be peace But these are dangerous times"

She continued with the laundry, glancing at his face, at the worry crinkling his eyes "Tell htened, Colvin The world is so vast – this kingdom is so vast Help me appreciate soht? Is that why the season is not right?"

He looked at her for a doms, and not just ours We do not knohat shape or form it will take, but the Alderht greater than any other that has coht be different At least do to the Alderraced the throne of any kingdo does not have the inclination, the patience, or the huht, not a rows and those who lead men because of their birth are blind to it"

"I do not understand"

"The Leerings are all beginning to fail And with them the protection they provide There are students in Billerbeck who cannot coth of will now, to make one obey Not here – not in Muirwood But at other Abbeys, it is different It is a sign that trouble is co and devastation awaits us in the future Rather than acknowledging it, there areon power and land and wealth The biggest one right now is the Earl of Caspur Have you heard of hiht a moment "I have heard the Aldermaston o He is the richest earl, is he not?"

"And the nate of the realm He does not lack for lands, or honor, or wealth, or inheritance, but he is fighting De to reconcile On his side are the earls of Werrick and Andrel We hear they are raising an ar" His face twisted with disgust "They want control of the king to add to their possessions and wealth They are resentful that the patronage is now under the domain of a man who is honorable and…"

A voice interrupted from the rain "Mother of Iduirl with boring political tirade Let her alone already – you are co her!"

The man behind the voice appeared from the walk, his e and bearded around the chin only, his face handsome yet sardonic – as if he found the entire world a jest that only he understood His hair was long, his tunic studded with twinkling gemstones A sas belted at his waist, but it bore nothe intruder’s voice, Colvin stiffened, his eyes turning with recognition and shock to the newcoize lass, for the Earl of Forshee’s bad es and he is blabbing on about such idle things Really, Forshee, you have no co flattered, not preached to"

Colvin’s jaw tensed with anger She recognized it also in the pale sheen of his eyes--tightly controlled anger,at Muirwood, Dieyre?"