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“Dinna you, Meg? I think you did, and if you do it again, I’ll just have to coain”

He waited for her sharp response But Meg had always had the power to surprise hier, carefully traced the shape of his mouth “Promise?” she murmured

Gregor left her in no doubt as to his reply

The general came downstairs and joined them for supper, but by the ti in his chair Gregor helped hio, the two or returned, he was thoughtful and a little melancholy

“He toldasked hi

Meg frowned “I aor You know that”

“Och, I know it,He believes it is a man’s duty to care for the wo you over to e that I will take good care of you”

Meg’s lip treo, now that you have come”

He held her in his ar her as she wept His heart was heavy, but it was far worse for Meg She was losing her father, every day watching hi him take another step toward death

After a time she wiped her eyes and found a plain handkerchief on which to blow her nose “What of your father, Gregor?” she asked curiously “Do you still miss him?”

Gregor ss, but he was , and still be at odds with the; it can make our lives more difficult”

She was quiet, her face pale in repose, his brave, beautiful Meg

Gregor held out his hand to her “Come to bed,” he said, but there was no innuendo in what he said, only a wish to comfort in whatever way he could

She stared at hi behind those simple words, and then she put her hand in his

Meg had been asleep for a little while, when she felt his hands on her body, touching her, learning her He cupped her breasts, his thigh sliding between hers, and his tongue traced a journey down the arch of her throat She pressed closer, tangling her fingers in his unbound hair, no longer caring what he thought of her He was right Life was uncertain, and one must take what pleasure one could