him. “Likely, they’d have you sacrificing the concubine and tupping the sow.” His laughter echoed hers, a throaty, seductive sound. He returned to the table and raised his tea cup to her in appreciation of her wit. “You know them well.” He sat, straddling the bench so that he partially faced her. She finished combing out her hair, splitting the locks into three thick skeins so she could bind