Christine graciously agrees

"I couldn't impose upon your kindness, Sir." Christine demurred, torn between her desire to stay under the protection of this daring hero and the need to follow her father's commands.

"I insist," the Verderer smiled up at her. Before she could politely decline the man's kind offer, he turned to Erik, "I imagine this lad is hungry, if he is anything like my boys. My wife will have stew on the fire by now and fresh rolls too if we're lucky." The way her brother's face lit up at the mention of food was almost too much for Christine to contend with. But she tried to explain that her mission was an urgent one even as she felt her stomach lurch in her belly at the thought of warm food. It had been almost a full day since either she and her brother had dined. Once again, the Verderer added a tempting incentive.

"Forgive me for even bringing this up, but it looks like you've been through a bit of an adventure, and I'm sure you'd make a better impression on the solicitor if you had a chance to bathe and wash your gown." For the first time since her horrific escape from the castle, Christine took the time to assess the condition of her clothing. The descent down the shaft of the latrine had left smears of excrement on her shoulders and hips and not even the putrid water of the moat had washed away the stains. Her hair was knotted in a tangled bird's nest complete with twigs and leaves, and her hands were smeared with grime.

Christine could feel her face redden as she realized what she and her brother must look and smell like, it is a wonder that the ruffians in the King's Wood would even want to have their way with her. Conceding defeat, she allowed the verderer to lead her through the busy streets up towards where the castle loomed. She had been in that very castle on a few different occasions, and not once had she given any thought about the townsfolk that inhabited the streets huddled under its walls. But this time as they made their way into the better neighborhoods she listened attentively as her guide pointed out the various guild-streets. She took special note of Gold Street as they passed, pleased that the notary's house was not at all far from where she was headed.

The Verderer tried not to think too much about his motives for bringing these strays into his home. Until this day he had never even considered inviting the down-trodden to share his food and certainly not to bathe. The thought of Christine's young body half submerged in the wooden tub they used to wash, sent a jolt of need to his cock.

He could picture the steaming water flowing between her firm breasts as she lathered soap down between her submerged thighs. His groan followed by a half stumble must have clearly alarmed the young woman because, with the grace a someone accustomed to riding she swung her leg over his saddle's high pommel and slid to his side.

"Are you well, good sir?" She asked resting her hand on his shoulder in concern, "My brother and I can certainly walk from here. You should be the one riding this fine gelding." Her refined tone and genuine concern amplified by the warmth of her hand on his arm did nothing to ease his distress, but before he could object, the girl had lifted her brother from his seat and set him by her side. "Please, it is bad enough that you must rescue my brother and I, we cannot have you walking before us like a groomsman."

As much to distance himself from her troubling touch, the Verderer climbed onto the saddle and 'clucked' at his horse to start the steed moving again. Thankfully in the late afternoon, the people thronging the streets were more interested in making their way home than they were in the odd little scene. It was clear in his mind that there was more to this young woman and her brother than she had shared, and the last thing he wanted was to bring trouble to his household.

It was only now as they approached his three-story thatched townhouse that he finally allowed himself to consider what his wife might think of his decision to bring this beautiful young woman and her silent brother home with him.