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She’d seen hiotten that he was aobeyed on all matters

Martha opened the door wider, and he strode in She was surprised by the newly acquired deep lines on his face, as though he wasn’t sleeping any hts she had conte hiaze traveled over her, and he seehtened her shoulders, angled her chin She had a right to grieve, but this journey was supposed to allow her to put it all behind her Why didn’t it?

"You’re wasting away," he said

Self-consciously she plucked at her skirt The dress did seeh the streets of Scutari "The sea is not agreeing with me Why are we stopped?"

"I have a surprise for you" He tossed a bundle of clothes to her She juggled therasp "Put those on"

It was a small bundle She peeled away a pair of trousers and a shirt "These are britches"

"I’ what they are"

"Ladies do not wear britches"

"Those ish to look out froarments to her chest Opened her ht he was? "How do you propose I get there?"

"You’ll climb"

He said it with such assurance that she couldn’t help but laugh "And if I fall?"

"You won’t You’ll be secured with a rope and I’ll be there with you"

She shook her head "It’s far too dangerous"

"You never struck me as cowardly"

"I’m practical," she bit out

"Scared," he taunted