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brother’s face for he still saw the kid he once was, the handsome young man whose charismatic spirit had the women flocking to him.  Now they ran in fear or cringed in horror when they looked at him. 
    He could see the effect the girl’s actions had on him but his brother was good at hiding it.  They glanced toward the tub and saw although the lady had seen the scars and the reaction of the other woman she had already dismissed the drama and was doing her best to ignore them now.   Her reaction surprised Damien. He was pleased by it, but also felt anger that she would be the one he would offer his brother.  His brother’s stare had shown his interest and her lack of reaction had only interested his brother further.
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    The-man-on-the-gray-horse sent for servants and in no time the two women were scrubbing at her and tending to her wounds.  She did her best to ignore both men who kept glancing her way as they talked in low tones.  She was already on edge enough with The-man-on-the-gray-horse staring at her but when The-man-in-the-hood had entered her blood had turned cold.  She saw him plunge his sword into Alec again and she had the urge to fly at him and plunge a candle stick or another object into his hooded head.
    The-man-in-the-hood had looked her over when he had entered.  She had looked from one man to the other as they stared at her and she wondered which one would demand her as their war prize.  It was not unheard of that a lady would remain untouched after a keep was taken.  But she was no fair lady in a neat dress, her hair perfectly done.  So far she doubted either man looked upon her as a lady and doubted either man had mercy not to rape her or submit her to the number of vile things her husband had over the years. 
    When the other woman came in and tore the hood from the man’s head and began   screaming Keri found her reaction far too harsh.  The man was terribly scarred but at least his fat did not slap together when he moved and his flesh did not smell of greasy meat.  With that thought she found herself wondering what mating with a man that did not repulse her would be like.  Would she only be able to see The-man-in-the-hood’s blade driving into Alec or The-man-on-the-gray-horse’s dagger slicing her friend’s throat?  Or would she finally get to know the pleasure a man could give her.  Lottie had assured her sex was normally a pleasurable event.  Not the act that left her feeling disgusted and dirty. 
    The men had left while her hair was being rinsed so her mind was whirling by the time she stepped from the water.  “Did you see the children brought in with us?” she asked as a giant cloth was wrapped around her body. 
    The two women looked at each other.
    “Please, I only wish to know if they are well.”
    They nodded and the younger one said, “They are well.”
    “Is that all you can tell me of them?  I am the Lady Keri of Langley and those children are all I have left.”
    She was immediately irritated to see the women step back and make signs of the cross before them.
    “We don’t want trouble,” the older woman said taking a weary step back.
    “Then tell me of my children,” she snapped.
    “An older lady brought them into the hall just before we were sent up here.  They looked to be well cared for, although tired,” the younger informed her, her brown eyes wide with fear.
    “Leave me now.”  Though her voice had not been harsh by any degree both women jumped and fled the room.  The tapestry that served as a door fell back into place and Keri waited for only a moment before gathering the cloth around her body and stepped quietly to it.  No noise came from outside so she slipped behind it and into the dimly lit corridor.  On nimble feet she made a decision in which direction to take, the trip in had been hazed over with fatigue and pain.  She had not made it far when The-man-on-the-gray-horse’s voice rang out behind her,