“Eloise has a penchant for Nubian body guards,” I said. “When she and I last crossed swords in Naples she had probably a dozen of the scimitar-w...elding killers in her employ. She had fewer when I left Italy but has probably recruited more since then. Part of her baggage includes thousands of gold Sultani looted from the Alexandria Provincial treasury; she may have many other valuables acquired in a like manner. And of course she has Captain Guest and Missus Crudwright with her.”Thomas pondered. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t quite hear that.”Fresh tears spilled down Emma’s face. The dark eyeliner was getting smudged already.“Why?” Charlotte asked.Emma looked confused. “What?”“Why are you sorry? What’s changed?” Charlotte demanded. “What’s happened?”“I’m pregnant.”Whatever semblance of control Emma had left tumbled at this point. Her shoulders heaved as she sobbed quietly.“For fuck’s sake,” Charlotte muttered as she snatched up several tissues from the box by her bed. “It’s not that big a. We went out shopping with her to get some fall attractive clothing, lingerie and other items. I devised a plan to see him tomorrow as I tried on a fall dress that looked kinda similar to the last day of summer we spent together.. When we got home, I went upstairs in the guest room and laid everything out for the next day.I couldn't help myself imagining his kiss, but longer, the passion I had for him so long ago, put my hand underneath the jeans and could feel myself already wet. I gasped and. Dysfunctional and adulterous, was my relationship with Jen the best thing in my life, by far? Yes. I loved being around her, whether we were naked or not, whether we were alone or not. I wanted to be with her, all the time, and I knew I was in love with her.While we pretty freely said "I love you" to one another, I wasn't sure about the depth of her feelings for me, and we didn't discuss them.I did notice, when spending time with her and Mike together, that they weren't particularly.