Page 19 (1/2)

iled away their afternoons in taverns Neither had a good ood woman “Why do you ask?” Emma concluded curiously

“No reason in particular,” Anne said dished quite heavily in hersuch little experience in these ht her so very much, but when it came to matters of the sexes and of relationships, Anne feared that the warm and sunny allure of the roht into reality She hadn’t even considered so crass a thought before she had given herself to te with the ht shared her intoxication in one another

Had she been used?

“That’s… all I need for now, E her throat aardly “My bedchamber—”

“It’ll be quite prepared for you by the ti with your father,” Emma said with a curtsy

“Coestures,” Anne commented “I should be back… soon Perhaps… I’m…” Anne’s voice fell away, and instead memories and fears filled her head until she stood in ainto the moon A ros lined the hall they stood within; the un to rise on the far side of the horizon, just cresting over the trees, and each ti the forest floor with thein want for him even now

“M’lady?” E reverie

“I’m… sorry, yes, Emma, my mind’s just…”

“Did so happen? With you, and Lord Strauss?” Emma asked, a conspiratorial smile on her lips

“That’s quite a question to ask,” Anne said, her tone biting, though the blush on her cheeks was perhapsthan she wanted it to be

“Apologies, m’lady, I simply saorry in your eyes,” Emma returned “I had wondered if your question—”

“E cinders now; the serving girl’s head dipped

“You’re… you’re right, ize You siaze tilted shamefully to the floor

“Th… thank you, Emma,” Anne returned tensely, “but now it’s time for you to… see to the bedchaood intentions, and even that E fear that Lord Strauss had siun to eat away at Anne’s patience and confidence As the serving girl muttered, Anne’s mind focused painfully instead on that moment in the cabin - and ho it seemed only pain would come of what had been heavenly pleasure only hours before

With the strength of pained conviction behind her Anne pulled the doors open, thrusting herself into the darkening foyer She saw no sight of the man, yet she carried the ht in her throat and she sed hard, trying to ignore her intuition She crossed the carpets with her head held high, paying no heed to the servantscha the conflict pounding in her chest She saw her ailing father laid in deathly stillness in his grand chair, his eyes wide; for a es of his illness had taken hiaze across the chamber to her face