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Selena touched Maeve's wet cheek "Oh, Maeve Our children will never be afraid of you They will know froood days And they will know that you love theh"

"No" Maeve said the word softly, shaking her head

"Yes," Selena answered fir it with all her heart "It's what Herbert should have told Ian long, long ago"

Maeve sat back on her heels and hung her head "I pray you're right"

"Don't pray, Maeve, believe"

Ian leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms "Checkmate"

Johann stared at the board, e and queen and Johann's rook "Damn"

"That's two in a row for Dr Carrick," Andrew said with a bright grin

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Johann senerate background, I wouldn't have a chance How about charades? You're far too stuffy to perform well"

Ian started to answer, but his words were cut off by the sound of a carriage approaching the house At once, Andrew and Edith and the queen surged to their feet and thundered to the front door They squished together and stared out the small side panel

"Who'd be out on a day like this?" Edith said " Tis rainin' cats and dogs"

"It's an old on," Andrew said

The queen gasped and dropped into a knee-popping curtsy "It's Albert He's come for me at last"

Edith s ain't goin' so well in the homeland"