She recognized it and the removal of tension from his shoulders; she’d seen it on others and was certain she’d given the same look of unconscious ...elief herself to Troy back in Paris; the look of someone who’s been expecting to be caught and finally has. And another, more familiar look.“I do.” Chase replied. He looked behind them at the soldiers holding back onlookers. He turned his attention back to La Contessa. “If you’d care to talk inside, I can put on coffee.”Helen thought about it for a. They have been very loud and demanding since I was crowned but more so now."She turned to face me, "I need an heir Mr Grace."I blinked, "I do not think I understand."She smiled, "I need a consort and not one the bastards pick. One I can trust not to dishonor me or himself.'I sat back, "you mean..."She nodded, "I mean I want you as my consort."She stepped closer, "I have had you watched. You might have thought of letting them kill you but you would not kill yourself. At the last minute you. One of her professors from North Carolina collected Cherokee herbal remedies. Francis attempted to cultivate those too. Francis was talented at growing herbs and other plants. She took a special interest in the gardens that we established in the different climatic areas. She trained the Pantops and Miche farmers to spot and collect the wild plants used in medicines. Then she worked out how to cultivate the others. Imported medicines were very expensive for the cash strapped South.Barks were. "And you are?" Oh, a distant cousin, my dear, Motasa Rmaxis at your service." He bowed his head slightly then puffed out his chest. "We intercepted a message to your Great Grandfather and luckily we had Traleia and her cruiser in close proximity to your captor's ship. To make things easy and ensure your co-operation your uncle ordered her to pretend she was working for your Grandfather. Unfortunately your uncle is off world for a council meeting at the moment, but he assures me he will be back.