'' i 'm afraid the rumors are true . '' he nodded toward sai who curtsied sweetly . when rawlings gingerly took her hand and kissed it , his eyes spent too much time focused on her bosom than on her hand like propriety dictated . nicholas 's mood darkened . rawlings lifted a calculating eye toward nicholas and smiled before returning his attention back to
sai

he blundered about for a little , found the candle -lrb- they were no longer using the lamp , for they had run out of oil -rrb- , set it on the table , and lit it . when the flame rose clear , several people scrambled to their feet . six faces blinked at one another in the
candlelight

he handed his towel out to me . '' no . i 'm being serious . '' he nodded behind him . gazing around his long frame , i saw the table he referred to . a group of kids our age went instantly back into their conversation like they were n't just staring over here . my face blazed now as i grabbed his
towel