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A young serving maid in a black skirt, white blouse, and a white apron appeared She was not unattractive, and when she looked at Chance her stern expression changed Royce thought that the tenor of her voice was invitingly husky as she asked, “Yes … may I help ye?”

“Here to see his lordship,” said Chance, s softly at her

The woh she was ready to melt into Chance’s arms, which supre she could do She folded her ar rain out here—do you think you could invite us in and out of the weather?”

“Oh … oh … yes, of course,” said the maid, who stood aside and allowed the three to enter

“Now …” Chance murmured to the maid, “could you announce us to his lordship?”

“Is he expecting ye?”

“No, he isn’t, but he will be glad to see me all the same,” Chance answered confidently

“Well, then—of course” She spoke only to Chance, glanced warh Royce didn’t exist “Who shall I say …?”

However, the lord of the , hard strides towards theh, clasped Chance around his chest, and shook him as best as he was able

“Ye ole dog—why dinna ye tell ?”

“Dinna know” Chance turned to his coiven names However, after a moment he said, “Aye then, I see ye know just what my companions be”

His lordship studied Royce for only a h for her to return his scrutiny with one of her own He was elderly, but he was still a mountain of a Scotsman and obviously fit He had a ruddy, manly face, not quite handsome and yet attractive His hair hite, and he wore it slicked back and tied at the nape of his neck with a black ribbon She guessed he was in hu sixty

His hazel eyes glittered appreciatively when he walked towards Royce He sold torque at her neck

She nodded, and he touched it thoughtfully before he reht me—not only a beauty, but a Seelie princess”

Even though the maid had left them earlier, Chance frowned and said, “Best be talked about in private”