After speaking with the Magistrate, Thorburn went with his contingent of guards to Teárlag's house. He had them wait across the street while he went to her door, where he knocked.

Teárlag opened the door and welcomed him in.

"No servants again, Teárlag. A person might think you wanted a bit of privacy."

"I did, Thorburn. First I want you to make sweet, passionate love to me, then we have to talk."

"Talk about what, lass?" Thorburn asked.

"Things, just things, nothing that can't wait until later, after you've taken me to my bedroom and made a wanton woman of me," Teárlag said.

"You're expecting me to have my way...