Simone looked terrific, her blond hair and smiling eyes sparkling in the candlelight, in a greenish-grey (She called it ‘jade,’ but I’m color-te...med challenged!), V-neck cardigan over a long sleeve tank top. Surprising to me was that this was atop a relatively short black skirt and not her usual jeans. But it wasn’t until she got up to go to the ladies room that I noticed her long, lean charcoal stockinged legs were encased in a pair of black leather boots that began just below her knees and. And serve m’lord, of course.”“As from this moment, not that it frees you from the smithy and tanner work until we can replace you. Still, you are, in fact, Lady Desiree of the newly christened town of Resmen, named for your brother. Mellyn is now Lady Melanie, just because I will it. Delen is now Lady Denise. Resmen is now posthumously declared a knight as well. Sir Richard of Resmen. Cenmin is now of noble birth and is called Cecil from this day forward. Now, take Cecil with you, as we have. "You better ask Dog where he gotthose." I'm surprised he actually found some. But you should know there arethings your Momma prefers to a bunch of Roses," he responded.I lifted up on tip toes and kissed his cheek. "Like a nice Dinner thatI don't have to cook, being shown off by my loving husband. And walkingbow legged the next day." I had to giggle.We were shown to a set of tables that had been pushed together. Andthen a waiter came to take our orders rather than the waitress who hadseated. Her eyes never blinked as she read his excuses.He had never loved her, he wrote. He had married her because he felt responsible for getting her pregnant, and he had lied from that day forward out of guilt. He'd had enough. He wanted to find a woman he could love, a woman that didn't make him feel resentment every time he looked at her, a woman who would fill his life with love and passion. All in all, anyone but her.Julia had sat at her desk while sobs overcame her. She had tried; she had tried.