always like cookies.Martinstood and put on his jacket, then bent to pull on his boots. Illjust be a minute. He gave Henry a quick kiss before exiting theroom.Henryhoped his friends appreciated their slaves. He didnt doubt thatMartin was a better slave than any of his friends had, but it wasstill a privilege to have a person all to yourself, devoted to yourneeds, even if all you wanted from him was valet service and homeworkhelp. He also didnt doubt that Marin got special treatment aboveand beyond what the other slaves experienced, but Henry didnt knowhow he could behave otherwise with him. If a fellow was remarkable,you had to treat him accordingly.Martinwas imminently worthy of Henrys love, if only Henry would gatherthe courage to offer it.Theweather continued cold and Henry took Martin to the lake to practiceskating twice more before the ice started melting. Martin gainedconfidence and became more skillful each outing. Truthfully, hedidnt need Henrys help nearly as much as Henry needed to giveit.Itwasnt clear what price Julian had paid for his misadventure withthe girl, but at least he wasnt being whipped. According toMartin, Julian was close-mouthed about the entire issue and seemedappropriately chastened. Gordon hadnt said anythingto Henry, atleastand Henry wasnt about to ask, afraid of incurring Gordonswrath. Henry remembered so clearly his own fears that Martin wouldfind his desires disgusting and felt terrible for Gordon, whose slavedidnt even have the good grace to feign enthusiasm. Martin wasright: Julian should never have been made a companion.Tuesdayafter they returned from the park with their skates, their fingersand noses numb and cold, Martin bade Henry wait close to the fire inhis room.Ihave something for you, he said, smiling and excited, bouncing onhis toes. Let me get it while you warm up. He squeezed Henryscold hand and headed back toward the door.Whereare you going?Itsjust downstairs. Ill be back in a minute.Henrystood before the fire warming his hands, shifting nervously from onefoot to the other. His heart began to pound; he thought he knew whatthis something might be, but he couldnt guess what form it wouldtake. The feeling was coming back into his tingling fingers when heheard Martins returning footsteps in the hall.Martinentered the room with a hand behind his back. Close your eyes,Henry, and hold out your hand.Henryclosed his eyes, but his lids fluttered, wanting to open. He held outhis hand, embarrassed that it shook.Martinclosed the distance between them and took hold of Henrys wrist.His mouth close to Henrys ear, he said, This is me caring foryou, and pressed a small object into Henrys hand.Henryclosed his fingers around it: smooth, cool, solid. Can I open myeyes?Youcan.Itwas a protection stone, like Henry had given Martin, except Martinknew what he was doing, so this one was much better.Justas Henry had marked his gift with an H to represent himself, Martinswas marked M. The M was rendered in lighter and darker shades ofgolden yellow, chiseled and dimensional. It was superimposed over avery artful image of a rose in shades of red. The rose was surroundedby a wreath of green ivy twining around the edge of the stone, allpainted