| Selvena doing so with a highly suspicious lack of protest, and touching, shockingly, fingertip to palm with both men in farewellAlais caught a glance from her father, and a moment later she rose when her mother did
It was impulse, nothing more, that led her to invite Catriana to come up with herImmediately the words were spoken, she realized how they must sound to the other woman, someone so independent
and obviously at ease in the company of menAlais flinched inwardly at her own provincial clumsiness, and braced herself for a rebuffCatriana's smile, though, was all graciousness as she stood
"It will remind me of home," she said
Thinking about that as the two of them went up the stairs past the lamps in their brackets and vintage fake rolex watches the wall-hangings her grandfather had brought back south from a voyage to Khardhun years and years ago, Alais tried to fathom what would lead a girl her own age to venture out among the rough and tumble of long roads and uncertain lodgingOf late nights and men who would surely assume that if she was among them she had to be availableAlais tried, but she honestly couldn't grasp itDespite that, or perhaps because of it, something generous in her spirit opened out toward the other woman
"Thank you for the music," she said shyly
"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, replica prada 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 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 buy miu miu 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 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 coco chanel handbags 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 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 low price prada bags gl |
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