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By ignoring what she was saying and focusing my entire consciousness on moving, I managed to slowly force one hand ... then an arm ... inside her embrace. Summoning my fast fading strength, I levered my arm sideways, breaking her grip and allowing myself a desperately needed rush of air.
Okay. So it wasn't particularly affectionate, or even polite. It's just that I've picked up some a
"What's the matter, Skeeve?" Bu
"UUUUH hah ... UUUUH hah ... ," I explained, realizing for the first time how sweet plain air could taste.
"I knew it!" she snarled. "Tananda kept saying you were all right ... every time I asked she kept saying the same thing ... that you were all right. The next time I see that little ..."
"I'm ... fine ... Really, Bu
Still trying to get my lungs working on their own, I reached out a tentative finger and prodded her biceps.
"That was ... quite a'Hello,'"I said. "I never realized ... you were so ... strong."
"Oh, that," she shrugged. "I've been working out a little while you were gone ... like every night. Not much else to do evenings. It's an easier way to stay in shape than dieting." "Working out?"
My breathing was almost back to normal, but my head still felt a little woozy. "Sure. You know, pumping iron?" I had never realized that simple ironing could build up a woman's arms that much. I made a mental note to start sending our laundry out.
"I'm sorry I didn't think to check in with you," I said, returning to the original subject. "It's just that I assumed you were okay there at the office, and was in a hurry to see if the crew was okay." "Oh, I know. It's just that ..." Suddenly she was hugging me again ... gentler, this time.
"Don't be mad at me, Skeeve," she said softly from the depths of my chest. "I just get so worried about you sometimes."
I was surprised to realize she was trembling. I mean, it just wasn't that cold here in my room. Especially not huddled together the way we were, "I'm not mad at you, Bu
"I heard that you nearly got killed in a fight," she countered, tightening her grip slightly. "And wasn't there some kind of trouble with the cops?" That a
"Where did you hear that?" I said casually.
"It's all over the Bazaar," Bu
Com'on, Bu
She started to say something, then turned her head as sounds of an argument erupted through the closed door.
"What's that?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Guido and Nunzio said they were going to keep everybody out for a while. Maybe someone ..."
The door burst open, and Queen Hemlock stood framed in the entryway. Behind her my bodyguards stood, and as they caught my eye gave exaggerated shrugs. Apparently royalty was harder to stop than your average assassin ... a thought that did little to cheer me realizing some of the rumors surrounding the current matriarch of Possiltum.
"There you are, Skeevie," the Queen exclaimed striding into my room. "I was looking all over for you when I saw those thugs of yours loitering about outside and ... Who's this?"
"Your Majesty, this is Bu
"Your Majesty," Bu
It occurred to me that as worldly as she was in some ways, Bu
Queen Hemlock, on the other hand, was not at all overawed by meeting another commoner.
"Why Skeeve! She's lovely!" she said, cupping Bu
"Bu
"Why of course!" the Queen smiled, giving me a broad wink. "Just like my young men are bodyguards ... on the kingdom budget, anyway."
"Please, Your Majesty, don't misunderstand," Bu
"There there, my dear," Hemlock interrupted, taking Bu
I really didn't like the way this conversation was going, and hastened to change the subject.
"You said you were looking for me, Your Majesty?"
"Oh yes," the Queen said, releasing her hold on Bu
Somehow, that didn't sound like the J. R. Grimble I knew, but I let it slide for the moment.
"Very well. We'll be along presently." "Of course." The Queen smiled, winking at me again. "Well, I'll just be ru
As she reached the door, she paused to sweep Bu
There was an uncomfortable silence after the Queen left. Finally, I cleared my throat.
"I'm sorry about that, Bu
"That's the woman you're supposed to marry?" Bu
"Well, it's what she wants, but I'm still thinking it over."
"And if somebody kills her, you'd feel you had to take over ru
"Uh ... well, yes."
There was something in Bu
"I see" Bu
"Okay. Sure," I said, glad that the crisis had passed ... if only for the moment.
"Just one question, Skeeve."
"Yes, Bu
"How do you feel about 'the heir thing' as her majesty so graciously put it?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "I guess I don't mind."
"You don't?"
"Not really. I just don't understand what having a haircut has to do with being a royal consort."