“Once we are married, those angry little scowls won't be allowed," Lily pouted, feeling ignored. "I want a handsome husband...or at least as handsome as he could be.”

“Are you sure you want to marry him, Lily? Marriage is a serious vow and you really don't know the man."Lily rolled her eyes. "Who really knows anyone before they marry? And while his lordship may not be very handsome, he is exceptionally clever,don't you think? I mean,he did come up with the plan to save us all and let us stay.”

“Edythe is going to marry his best friend, Garid...Garik-I can't remember, but they will live at Syndlear. He is supposedly a quiet man, who is not considered by most handsome, but neither is he hideous.”

“I thought he would calm down from whatever made him mad and see reason by now, but I actually think he is going to marry your nit-wit sister and she is going to let him!""She only agreed because that's what she thought everyone wanted her to do!""Well,Lily picked a perfect time to start thinking of others.”

“It's repulsive how you act around every two-legged mammal with a beard.""But it works," Lily returned with a large smile she knew would aggravate her sister. "You should try it, Edythe. God gave you everything needed to capture a man's eye,but then you open your mouth and drive anyone interested in you my way.If you could just learn to keep quiet.""Amazing,Lily,for that's my aadvice to you.And as far as driving men away,first there would have to be someone to repel.Not one man of marrying age or eligibility has visited since Father left, and secondly, if a man can be so easily intimidated, I wouldn't want him for a dinner companion,let alone a husband."Lily rolled her eyes,their light shadowy color made only more piercing by her fair skin and dark hair. "You don't intimidate,Edythe. You insult.""And you,Lily, think anything that isn't dripping with flattery and praise is an insult.”

“I'm offering to sacrifice myself into marriage! Of course,I was surprised by the idea,but to save my sisters and keep them in their homes,I have decided to agree.I will marry you," she finished, placing a possessive hand on Tyr's forearm.Tyr's already wide grin grew even bigger. "I appreciate the offer, and while you are indeed a pretty little girl, marriage and I are never to be.""But the king...I thought you had to..." Lily sputtered."Now,my friend here, Lord Anscombe, I believe he is eager to have a bride," Tyr said, pointing to Ranulf, who wasn't sure if he was amused, insulted, or bored. "Here is your groom. Lord Anscombe of Bassellmere."Lily whipped around.Her eyes were the color of gray mist and had turned saucer size. Her surprise was genuine, but her next move shocked even Ranulf. Straightening,she took a sizable gulp and announced, "As I was saying, my lord. I am ready and willing to marry you."Ranulf stole a glance at Edythe, who was ignoring the unfolding situation. Her focus was on Tyr and had been since he had made his nonmarital declaration.”

“The door slammed and the reverberating sound bounced back and forth down the hall. Edythe and Lily sat perfectly still and stared at each other, eyes wide open. For once,their thoughts were in accord.When Ranulf had first arrived and started banging on Bronwyn's door, both had awakened wondering if they should do something. When the racket ceased, Lily scurried into Edythe's room. "What's going on?""I don't know," came Edythe's simple reply."Why is Ranulf so angry with Bronwyn?"Again Edythe shrugged."Well,should we go and see if Bronwyn needs help?"Edythe bit her bottom lip. The situation was foreign to her.She supposed they should go, but her gut was telling her to stay put. She was still debating the decision when voices rose again,and this time Bronwyn's was in the mix. And she never yelled.The door slammed and heavy footsteps retreated. "I think...I think I was just insulted," Lily mumbled. "By both of them."Seeing the stunned look in Lily's gray eyes,Edythe reached over to pacify her. "They also said some flattering things."Lily slipped out of the embrace and shook her head. "Edythe, what have I done?""What do you mean?"Lily bounded off the bed and passionately stabbed her finger toward the wall seperating Edythe's and Bronwyn's room. "Them! Didn't you hear?"Edythe nodded her head in relief. "I did.I just wasn't sure you had."Slump-shouldered,Lily returned to the bed and collapsed on it. "Oh Lord, Edythe, I just announced to everyone that I was going to marry the man our sister loves.""It's my guess that he loves her,too.”