"I can see why." Sacha grinned. "Not many ladies prefer stables to ballrooms, but you'll have no conflict with Viane."

"She likes to ride?"

"No, she's rather timid around horses, but that won't matter."

She looked at him skeptically. She could not imagine a feeling of closeness toward anyone who had no fondness for animals.

He chuckled as he saw her expression. "Truly."

He stopped before a carved teak wood door, threw it open, and then stepped aside for her to precede him into the chamber.

A slight dark-haired woman gowned in flowing light blue draperies came toward them. A deep rose flush colored her olive cheeks as she inclined her head politely to Sacha. "Welcome back, my lord." She turned to Tess and smiled gently. "I have been looking forward to this moment since Galen sent word you were coming. Welcome, Majira."

Viane Ben Raschid radiated warmth. Her wide-set dark eyes shone with good humor, and her beautiful features seemed to be lit from within.

"They call me Tess." Tess smiled at her. One could not help but smile at Viane. "And I'm sure I would have looked forward to meeting you also had I known you existed. No one had the civility to tell me."

Viane's smiled widened. "You're very blunt." She smiled. "Frankness is a wonderful virtue. I am too bound by courtesy to speak as honestly as you do."

Tess burst out laughing. "Some people call it rudeness, not honesty."

"Oh no." Viane appeared distressed. "I am the one who was rude. I did not mean to speak without tact. I meant—"

"I know." Tess held up her hand to stop Viane's words. That first strong impression of Viane's gentle dignity had blinded her to the realization that Galen's sister was scarcely older than herself. She doubted if the young girl knew the meaning of the word rudeness. "I was jesting. It's my way."

She glanced at Sacha, who was still staring in bemusement at Viane. "Is that not so, Sacha?"

"What?" He tore his gaze from Viane's face. "Yes, you've always been cheeky."

Tess's eyes widened in surprise. She had never seen such an expression on Sacha's face, and Viane's cheeks had gone scarlet again.

"Let me make you comfortable." Viane lowered her lashes, turning quickly away from Sacha. "If my lord Sacha will leave us?"

Sacha frowned and nodded curtly. "I'll see you in the morning, Tess." He turned on his heel and left the chamber.

Viane breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind him. "Now, you must bathe while I find you something to wear."

"I have gowns in my valises."

Viane shook her head as she clapped her hands for a servant and moved briskly across the chamber toward an armoire inlaid with mother-of-pearl. "Galen sent word that I should provide you with a few of my garments tonight. Later he wishes to choose things for you himself."

The high-necked gown Viane lent Tess was made of a length of white chiffon shot with silver that draped her small form without clinging and was completely unrevealing.

Galen's gaze ran over her appraisingly when he entered the chamber that night. "Better than my robe," he commented shortly. "We'll attend to the rest of your wardrobe tomorrow."

"I'm surprised that you're bothering with such a small matter. Ladies' fashions could be of no interest to you."

"I've always found minor details can suddenly become annoyingly abrasive if left untended." He smiled faintly. "And my wife's clothing is of the utmost importance to me."

"Even when you hide her away?" Tess asked flippantly.

"I take care of my own." He moved across the room to the divan. "And circumstances are different now."

"In what way?"

"We're not surrounded by my men." He settled himself on the pillows before the low table that the servants had laid with fine china and jeweled goblets. "There are thick walls around us instead of flimsy cloth." He stared into her eyes. "I'm very selfish," he said softly. "I don't want anyone but me to hear the cries you'll make."

The blood rushed to her cheeks, and she found she couldn't pull her gaze away from his. "I see," she said faintly. She knew the primal cries he meant. From childhood on she had heard Pauline and others scream out in the throes of passion. "You may be disappointed. I've always thought— it lacks dignity."

He burst out laughing. "And you're so very conscious of appearances."

She flushed. "I may be less than womanly at times, but I'm not without dignity."

His laughter faded, but a hint of tenderness lingered. "Yes, you have dignity, the very best kind. Not based on pride, but in confidence of what you are."

Startled, she asked, "I do?"

He nodded. "Even when you were a child, I noticed it. Dignity and honor. I knew you would be a woman to trust."

She felt a warm, sweet melting deep within her. A woman to trust. She felt as if she had been given a gift of great value. "I thought Viane would be supping with us."

He shook his head. "She eats with the women."

Tess frowned. "Why?"

Galen caught the hint of belligerence in her tone and smiled. "Not because I wish it. Viane's mother raised her in the old ways and traditions. She's more comfortable eating in her quarters."

"Then you should have striven to make her comfortable with the new ways."

"It's a battle I fight every day."

"But not in your own palace. "

"No, I guess not." His expression was suddenly weary. "I can't fight every minute of every day. "

She felt a rush of sympathy that banished her belligerence. She moved toward him across the chamber. "Never mind. I'll attend to it now that I'm here."

He smiled. "I do not doubt it. But please don't pitch Viane into a bog."

"I wouldn't do such a thing. I like her." She sat down on the cushions opposite him. "You have very little European furniture in the palace. I thought since you'd spent so much time in Tamrovia, you would have imported—"

"I spend only as much time as I'm forced to in Tamrovia. This is where I belong." The words were said simply, but with great conviction. "I take what the El Zalan and I need from other countries and no more."

"And you have no need for dining tables?"

He shook his head. "The floor is better."

"Why?"

"Eating is a natural function, and there's an easiness and naturalness about sitting close to the earth. Are you not more comfortable sitting there on your silk pillow than occupying those stiff cushioned chairs used in your country?"

She nodded slowly, as she realized he was right. "You believe life should be simple and natural?"

"As much as possible. We have enough conflict and tragedies without making the everyday functions of living difficult for ourselves." He smiled. "Now, eat. You've probed enough for now."

"You object to questions?"

"No, it is your right to question." He poured wine into a bejeweled goblet and handed it to her. "As it is mine to refuse to answer."

She took the wine, staring down into its red depths. "I have another question. "

"Yes?"

"When you saved Apollo and Daphne, I promised you anything you wanted." She lifted her gaze to meet his across the table. "When you made your offer to me at the inn, you made no mention of that promise. Why?"