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His expression was troubled, wracked with pain "I do not want you to get hurt I…I care about you"

She scowled at him "I know The Aldermaston told me We are only fifteen, Duerden"

He looked desperate "My father and ed their troth to each other They did not …what I ht, we are so young, but I wanted you to kno I felt about you"

She looked at him with a mixture of affection and exasperation "I care about you, Duerden, but you are a learner You do not need to pledge your troth to me I am only a wretched"

"Not to ht, Lia"

"But we see things so differently You want to join the dancing I have duties here"

"My parents are out there, Lia How can I reo to thes, Duerden And we are still too young You may feel differently…after you know me better"

He looked pained "We have known each other for two years This is not a s I cannot share with you Things that I know…about myself I will not make any promises to you I owe the Aldero to your fas for a mos will not change, Lia But I will obey you as I always have" With a look of despair and sadness, he walked away froates

Lia swore at herself in frustration, with the lingering sensation of his lips on her knuckles alarht from his heart, and it worried her She turned and opened the kitchen door and received another shock when she stepped inside

There was Ed in front of Sowe, his face so close to hers, his voice low and urgent He was holding her hand Pasqua dabbed at her eyes as she watched nearby, her face a mixture of emotions

Edmon’s face jerked as she entered, but he looked relieved "Lia! Thank the Mediuht it was the Aldermaston" He looked back at Sowe "If you are forced to flee the Abbey, you will find a safe haven in Norris-York My groomsman’s name is Jon Orchard He will offer you shelter until I return If you can, hire a wagon or cart to take you Here," he said, fu his purse He seized several coins from it and plopped them into her hand "This will be plenty for clothes and shelter Disguises Only if it comes to that" He looked over at Lia "For you, as well, if Colvin will not shelter you But I think he will"