"Not just the Chief and me, but all the elders and senior huntsmen. Even Ptarmigan was in attendance but as always she had nothing to say." What are w... going to do?" There were many options put forward," said Glade who was not to be hurried. "The essential question is whether we stay or leave. This valley is rich in forest and there is much game, but it is small and there won't be enough to feed everyone in the long winter months. We have followed the Wide River until it is no longer either. All through the evening we discussed what I hoped would happen and what Lena wanted and didn't want. Her strongest wish was that she was never left alone with Alan and that I was close beside her all the time. I reassured her that I would not leave her side for a second, besides I didn't want to miss a moment of Lena's 'awakening'.I had spoken at length to Alan over the phone and I had emphasised the need for him to take things gently and treat her like the shy reluctant virgin that she was. At. "I thought we should talk. I'll be in the living room, okay? Do you need a hand to get there?"I shook my head, and he left, quietly closing the door behind him, giving me privacy to put on the robe. I sat up and swung my legs over the edge, rubbing my face and smoothing down my hair. I carefully stood, and pulled the robe around my shoulders. I could smell him on the robe, and as I inhaled deeply, my guilt increased. Belting it tightly around my waist, I glanced quickly at a mirror, groaning. Kitts broke out at the mast head.She was heard to mutter, "I'd rather drink it and bust the empty bottle," which was not at all that unusual for Maggie. "I name this vessel, 'Pretty Penny, ' and commend her into the keeping of Her Royal Highness, Andrea, Princess Slagle Most Excellent, Koenigsknecht, Dame of the Realm of Rákóczi-Hapsburg." She stepped back and hugged a niece she didn't know she had."Beth sent me," she told a blushing Andrea, "She mentioned you're a Doctor ... I have this.