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She opened her eyes to the expressionlessat all about her outburst, he didn’t show it

"You don’t need e--"

"I wish to journey on et there quickly I don’t intend to stay long, but it’s iain threatened She was stronger than this She would be stronger than this She sed "--visit with ins"

A handkerchief, surprisingly white and pressed, appeared before her, held in a large roughened hand She took the offering and dabbed gently at her eyes "Thank you" She looked down at the scarred table, then lifted her gaze "I didn’t expect this part to be so incredibly difficult"

"How long has it been since you saw him?"

"Four years, almost to the day I saw hi that he and so an the journey to the Cri, so confident Pro" She cleared her throat "I’ you all this"

Especially when his eyes held no compassion, no warmth She didn’t knohy he’d bothered to offer her the handkerchief unless it was simply that he couldn’t abide tears

"Have you ever been separated fro, anyone you held dear?" she asked

He clenched his jaw, and she quickly shook her head "I’m sorry That was a silly question You’re a seaman I’m certain your life is filled with separations"

"Where I’, Princess"

"I told you that I’ht his eyes He’d baited her, and her anger had shoved her sorrow aside What sort of man was he? Compassionate one moment, distant the next?

Very primly, she folded the handkerchief and extended it toward him

"Keep it"

She shook her head "I’m sorry I’ve not handled this encounter at all well As I said earlier, I wish to hire you to take me to Scutari I’ve heard you have a remarkably fast ship and you are an exceptional captain"

"True on both counts But I transport cargo, not people"

"I’ to pay handsomely for your ship and services: two hundred pounds"