Darma, still adamantly suspicious of Sophia, stood up. "Well, Sophia Blake, shall we see to it that the Lord has clean clothes? We simply cannot have him continue on soaked in ale, can we?" She turned to the two nobles. "If you'll excuse us, milady, milord," she bowed politely before she firmly took the brunette's arm and led her away.

[color=lightgreen]"Y-yes,"[/color] was all Sophia could say as Darma led her away, glancing briefly back at the nobles and then irritatedly turning her attention to the woman who was leading her away. She had no choice. She had to play along.

Olivia watched her handmaiden lead the peasant away before she turned her attention back to Paul. She gave him an apologetic smile. [color=Tan]"I apologize. I was going to introduce myself properly had it not been for that unforeseen accident. However, Sophia had been correct in assuming that I wanted to keep my identity hidden,"[/color] she paused and then lowered her voice. [color=tan]"My father has forbade me to mingle with the townsfolk and my being here is without his knowledge..."[/color] she paused again and then chuckled embarrassedly, her cheeks turning bright pink at her confession. [color=tan]"I wanted to welcome you back and was impatient to wait for you to walk through the doors of the castle."[/color]