Introduce himself to the girls

With Roderick gone, Alex finds himself in charge. Although he feels a bit overwhelmed by all of this, he remembers the knight’s advice about acting confident and projecting assuredness. Taking a deep breath and throwing out his chest, he attempts a self-confident swagger to the carriage to talk to the ladies.

Aside from a tearful farewell to their grandfather, Tabitha and Cinda have remained in the carriage and isolated from Alex all this time. He opens the carriage door and looks inside at them.

They are dressed in traveling clothes. Because of their wealth, even their traveling clothes are finer than what most women would wear in Alex’a village, even on special occasions.

He effects a formal bow and says, “My ladies, I am Alex, squire of Sir Roderick. It will be my duty and honor to escort you to Central City.”

Tabitha’s lips press together in a somewhat-**** smile, and she nods in answer. Cinda, less reserved than her older sister, smiles and says, “Thank you so much for helping us. Grandfather told us what you and Sir Roderick are doing, and we are most grateful.”

Alex notices that the style for the girls’ dresses is much lower in the front than what he is used to. Their cleavage is evident, and Alex has to **** himself to keep his eyes on theirs as they converse.

Noting the time, Alex says, “We should be getting on our way. It is getting late.”

Tabitha gestures toward Kelly’s. Men from the sawmill have been making their way in and out of the establishment throughout your preparations, but the ladies must all be otherwise occupied, and they have not made their presence known. “Would it be wise for us to room at yonder inn for the night and get a fresh start in the morning?”

Alex looks toward Kelly’s and suppresses a grin. Evidently the girls do not recognize it as a brothel; if they did, they might wonder what he and Roderick were doing there in the first place and might have second thoughts about entrusting themselves to their care.