I hate dealing with the man.”I nodded to Henry and left, heading back to the Guard headquarters but Amanda, Sam’s older sister stopped me, “Char...les?”I turned as she crossed to me with a bright smile, “Do you know a merchant named Simson?”I stopped smiling, “Why?”She looked at me in surprise, “He sent me a gift and…”I took her arm and turned her towards Henry’s room. I opened the door and the duke and Henry looked at me as I led Amanda in, “The merchant Simson sent Amanda a gift.”The duke’s face. Once there though, having escaped the immediate surprise, I thought to myself, isn't this why I asked for Alma today? Wasn't my intention to show some attention? So I just slipped back into a clean pair of athletic shorts, no underwear, and a sleeveless shirt I usually run in. I'd been working out religiously and wasn't shy about wanting to show off my arms.I strode confidently this time, out to the dining room. I passed Alma, as she was slightly bent over to dust a side table. It was all I. Everyone was just trying their best. “Love you too, dad. You’re all set for an evening without me?”“Yeah, your Uncle Joe is coming over after dinner, and he’s staying the whole weekend. It’d be nice if you could give us an hour break when you come home, though. Which won’t be too late, right?”“Well... if Sean were to spend the night here, we could take Brylee off your hands for at least four hours.” A big-breasted, topless Aspen was making her best puppy eyes at her father.Douglas stopped. ------"Maddy, you look really pretty," exclaimed Sophie as Jacqui asked thegirls what they thought of her outfit. She'd been quite worried aboutthe thought of looking too glamourous in case it gave Simon the wrongsignals but, in the end, it was her first proper date with a man soshe thought she'd better make a special effort and her simple blackdress and heels looked just right. As she checked herself in themirror for the final time, the doorbell rang and she opened it to seeSimon wearing a.