“Do you think I love Birgit or Jesse or Ashley or any of the kids because they do something for me?” I asked.“No,” she said in her ‘little g...rl’ voice.“Then how are you any different?” I asked.“I’m not your kid,” she said, almost in a whisper.“No, you aren’t, but that doesn’t deny my point. If we never make love again, I’ll still love you. If you were to decide to leave and go back to your parents’ house, I’d still love you. When you find a boyfriend and eventually marry him and have kids, I’ll. "Altercation at the entrance, Commander," he said respectfully. "Just some peasant rabble deciding to pick a fight with the guards. Likely no more than drunken sots, but I thought it wise not to take chances." Crossbower in the tree!" a soldier bellowed suddenly.The burly man leapt at the Commander. He intended to knock Rol down, and use himself as a shield. He had barely executed it when something made a quavering sound right by his ear. By the time Rol was on the ground and the guard atop. “And much of my mother in the compassion for those in need.” He retorted, “Now again, and this is the last time I ask, do you plan the allow Ledger to continue believing you are both dead?”Minda smiled now, all the coldness gone from her eyes, “Very much like his father. Yes, it is for the best Ledger continues to believe that. Will you be seeing to his safe arrival to the Cove?”Andrew remained silent and thought, “If he continues to believe they are gone, he will push harder to advance. Better. There would be more than enough attention shortly in any event. Elizabeth opened her locker and removed her damp cloak. With the warmth from the soap stones used to heat the baths, it would be nice and dry soon enough. She then kicked off her shoes and, gathering her skirt up, sat down on the bench. First it was off with one stocking, then both. She laid them neatly on top of her shoes, then stood up and put them in the locker. Next, not bothering to look around and see if anyone was watching —.