I really can't thank Todger65 enough for all of his help with editing. I truly appreciate all of the time and work he's put into helping me get these ready to be read for almost forty chapters. My sincere thanks also to Nthusiastic who beta reads and asks great questions.
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Isonei woke to the sound of a quiet argument in Torgan. The female voices stopped when she stretched and rubbed her eyes.
"I wanted to wake you, your Grace. The servant arrived saying Prince Draeseth would be returning to the rooms shortly." Mes gave a sharp look to Lislora.
"Krouth is a poor influence on your servant, Isonei." Lislora scowled back at the woman so furiously that Isonei blinked and sat up to clap her hands sharply.
"Lislora! Mes was asked to wake me. She has every right to be unhappy that you were preventing her from fulfilling her task." Isonei frowned at both of the women, "Mes, Lady Lislora should not be looked at so sharply. If she interferes with you again, tell me and I will give her sharp looks." Folding her arms she glowered. "And Krouth is not a poor influence on anyone."
Both women looked slightly taken aback. The Munian woman bobbed a curtsy, "Forgive me, your Grace." She whispered something to Lislora in Torgan.
"What did you say?"
"That you do not wake well." Lislora offered a very small curtsy as well. "I would have allowed you to be woken after the water was drawn."
"I need time to wake and gather myself, Lislora. Mes knows how things should be done." She climbed out of bed and a yawn wrenched itself out of her.
Mes' nose wrinkled. "Your breath, your Grace. Should I fetch a dress while you wash your mouth?"
"No, I'll want to stay in a robe. One of my Aran chemises would be good, though. He enjoys those."
"Yes, your Grace."
Lislora flushed and glanced to the door. "What should I wear?"
"You've decided to join us? Are you sure?"
"I..." the Torgan woman took a deep breath, "I spoke to Prince Burgath. He pointed out that I need Draeseth to have a reason to want two Duchesses. I am unsuited to life at the convent, and I do not wish to become one of the royal mistresses."
"It won't be pleasant for anyone if you're uncomfortable. You might wait-"
"You offered, Isonei!" Lislora flushed and her hands curled into fists.
"I need you to be sure, and I need you to be relaxed and willing. If you're doing this because you feel forced it will have the opposite effect than the one we want. Think about it. If you're calm and sure and feel comfortable when he arrives, come join us in the bedroom. I think the bath would be too much for you."
Lislora's hands unclenched and she nodded tentatively. "If I do... what should I wear?"
"Something you feel comfortable in. You can be fully dressed at first if you're more comfortable that way." Isonei gave the woman her most reassuring smile. "The most attractive thing for him would be your happiness and affection for now. I can have an Aran chemise or two made for you if you want something a little more adventurous later." At her gently teasing tone, the Torgan woman smiled faintly.
"I will find something if I choose to join you."
"Your chemise, your Grace." Mes came back with the silky silver garment. "Silver looks prettiest on you."
"Andnaeuth said the same." Isonei smiled wistfully, already feeling regretful that the garment would probably be torn. "Draeseth tends to look at fabric as an annoyance. I tried to show him it can be more fun to undress slowly but he gets so impatient. Patience is something he desperately needs." She turned her eyes back to Lislora. "It will be easier to teach him with two of us."
"The tub is being filled. You said the cool side of warm, your Grace?"
"Yes, Mes." Isonei ran her tongue over her teeth. "I'll clean my teeth and change."
°°°°°°°°°°
Isonei fidgeted impatiently on the sofa. Even wrapped in her robe the main room felt chilly. Mes had stoked the fire, but an Aran chemise was not ideal for lounging in, even in a warm room, in Torga. The door opened and Draeseth sounded sour as he spoke to someone in his language.
Rising curiously, Isonei moved closer to the door.
"Duchess Isonei..." A dark-haired man, roughly Adareth's age and size, with skin a paler shade of grey-green than she was accustomed to seeing entered and bowed.
"My Duchess, this is Lord Morbaugh's youngest son, Anough. He was told he was not needed." Draeseth stood next to him, and behind the terrifying faceplate, she could see his scowl.
"Armor can be difficult and heavy, your Highness. I was told the Duchess is delicate." He lifted his eyes and flushed. "Adareth did not exaggerate her beauty either."
"Adareth is very sweet." Isonei stepped toward Draeseth and lifted her hands to run them lightly over the chest plate of his black armor. "You look so magnificent."
He made a pleased noise in his throat. "The way you look at me makes me eager to be out of my armor."
"Is it so difficult that I can't help you with it?" She beamed as he managed to stoop and kiss her through the faceplate.
"No. It is not so difficult, wife." The feeling of his gauntleted hands moving over her back was somehow exciting. He barked something at Anough and the man seemed to protest again.
Mes stepped forward and said something in a quiet voice before speaking Aran. "If you have difficulty I can help you, your Grace."
"Thank you, Mes." Half turning in Draeseth's arms she gave Anough a bright smile. "Your offer of assistance is appreciated but unnecessary. My plans didn't include him bringing an audience."
Anough flushed and bowed. "Of-of course." He hurried out and closed the door.
"What were your plans, woman? Your champion has fought well today." Draeseth's voice was a low purr as he tugged at her robe.
"The first part is helping you out of your armor while wearing this." Grinning impishly, she stepped away from him and slipped completely out of her robe.