’ She stood up, signaling the end of the interview. ‘Mrs. Barts, I do have to inform you that…this household houses male servants who are a bit�...�rough around the edges. So I implore you to exercise patience where they are concerned.’ Mrs. Barts nodded, her red hair which was pinned up in a bun above her head moving slightly forward as she did so. ‘I shall not disappoint you, milady. Or his lordship.’ ‘Excellent.’ *** Derek arrived at the Runners’ office by foot. Head of the office was Jacob. We were in China enjoying a couple’s massage with two male masseurs. We always request male masseurs as we find they give a deeper, more satisfying massage. We also ask if we can go naked as we find it more exciting. Some don’t allow it, but our guys had no objections.With hot oil, my masseur gently kneaded my back, shoulder, and arms. We had struck it lucky, the way he worked I could tell he knew what he was doing; gently warming the muscles before attempting anything deeper. Gliding his hot. A man was telling us that we have become part of the Western States and our money would be backed by gold and silver. I looked at my husband, he gave me a wink, and then he started thanking God. Come on, let’s get those drawings for you.”The group walked beyond where the ‘Employees Only’ sign was. Agnes put a key into a lock and turned the handle. There on the floor was a young man lying in a pool of dried blood. Agnes screamed, then covered up her nose from the smell, “I think that’s Chet our. They sat and talked — of Tharsas' studies, of what she planned to do with the garden in the coming spring, and about Vargas, whom they both liked. Colette was drinking far more wine than was customary for her, and she was becoming a bit light-headed.The reason was that she could not tear her eyes — or her thoughts — away from Tharsas. There was a warm glow around her heart, and another between her legs, both of which were consuming her. Time after time, she wanted to blurt out that she loved.