“They won’t really shoot us, will they?” Faith whispered as they started forward.“I’ll pretend I’m in labor if they do any funny stuff,” Angelina said in a low voice. “Pregnant women always scare the shit out of men.”

“I'm getting the impression that women, in any form, scare you."He shrugged. "They're the more violent species. And unpredictable. I'd rather take on a wild boar. You can't shoot women.”

“Women were supposed to be the enigmas, but men? Moody, brooding bastards, the lot of them. A woman with PMS had nothing on a man. Where women might get hormonal once a month, men suffered their own brand of PMS on a daily basis. - Faith”

“I’ll have your fathers make something special,” Holly said serenely. “If it turns out we don’t like him, I’ll cook the next meal for him.”

“I’ll cry if I want to. You will cease orderingme about!”He raised an eyebrow. “You dare to issueme orders?”She flushed, but at least she wasn’t cryingany longer.“Now tell me about this brand on yourthigh. Your father’s crest. I’d like to see it.”176/756She went crimson and she backed up astep until her back met with the ledge of thewindow. “I will not do something so indecentas to show you my leg!”“When we’re married, I’ll see more thanthat,” he said mildly.“Married? Married? I’m not marrying you,Laird. I’m not marrying anyone. Not yetanyway.”

“She sat down on the bed next to Crispen,and he snuggled into the crook of her arm.“I’m getting you dirty,” he whispered.“I don’t care.”“What are we going to do, Mairin?”

“Never be afraid to tell me anything,” he whispered against her hair. “No matter how ashamed you might feel. I’ll never judge you, Rachel. I love you.”