"Small return for your kindness," Catriana said lightly
"Not as small as you think," Alais said"Our room is over hereI'm glad this reminds you of home I hope it is a good memory That was probing a little, but not rudely she hopedShe wanted to talk to this woman, to be friends, to learn what she could about a life so remote from her own
They stepped into the large bedroomMenka had the fire going already and the two bedspreads turned backThe deep-piled quilts were new this autumn, more contraband brought back by Rovigo from Quileia where winters were so much harsher than here
Catriana laughed a little under her breath, her eyebrows arching as she http://www.irluxury.com/categorys_92_Coco-Chanel-Shoulder-Bag_1.html" target="_blank surveyed the chamberThis is rather more than I knew in a fisherman's cottage Alais flushed, fearful of having offended, but before she could speak Catriana turned to her, eyes still very wide, and said casually, "Tell me, will we need to tie your sister down? She seems to be in heat and I'm worried about the two men surviving the night
Alais went from feeling spoiled and insensitive to red-faced shock in one secondThen she saw the quick smile on the other woman's face and she laughed aloud in a release of anxiety and guilt
"She's just terrible isn't she? She's vowed to kill herself in some dreadfully dramatic way if she isn't married by the http://www.culuxury.com/categorys_89_Coco-Chanel-Jumbo-Flap-Bag_1.html" target="_blank Festival next year
Catriana shook her head"I knew some girls like her at homeI've met a few on the road, tooI've never been able to understand it
"Nor I," said Alais a little too quicklyCatriana glanced at her
Alais ventured a hesitant smile"I guess that's a thing we have in common?"
"One thing," the other woman said indifferently, turning awayShe strolled over to one of the woven pieces on the wall"This is nice enough," she said, fingering it"Where did your father find it?"
"I made it," Alais said shortlyShe felt patronized suddenly, and it irritated her
It must have shown in her voice, for Catriana looked quickly back over her shoulderThe two http://www.naluxury.com/scategory_2_Chanel.html" target="_blank women exchanged a look in silence"I'm hard to make friends with," she said at length"I doubt it's worth your effort
"No effort," said Alais quietly"Besides," she ventured, "I may need your help tying Selvena down later
Surprised, Catriana chuckled"She'll be all right," she said, sitting on one of the beds"Neither of them will touch her while they are guests in your father's houseEven if she slithers into their room wearing nothing but a single red glove
Shocked for the second time, but finding the sensation oddly enjoyable, Alais giggled and sat down on her own bed, dangling her legs over the sideCatriana's feet, she noticed ruefully, easily http://www.ooluxury.com/categorys_94_Chanel-Purse_1.html" target="_blank reached the carpet
"She just might do that," she whispered, grinning at the image"I think she even has a red glove hidden somewhere!"
Catriana shook her head"Then it's roping her down like a heifer or trusting the men, I guessBut as I say, they won't do anything
"You know them very well, I suppose," Alais hazardedShe still wasn't sure whether any given remark would earn her a rebuff or elicit a smileThis was not, she was discovering, an easy woman to deal with
"Alessan, I know better," Catriana said"But Devin's been on the road a long time and I have no doubt he knows the rules She glanced away briefly as she said that last, her own color a little http://www.enluxury.com/categorys_99_Gucci-Tote_1.html" target="_blank hig