"Beg pardon, ma'am, but as you know, I do not believe this man is good for you. Oh, of course he is never improper, but I think he uses you only to gain what he wants."
"I know he is doing exactly as you say," replied Briella. "But, in a way, I am using him, too, to get what I want, which has always been to return here, to my home, and to marry Red Fox. But, the best-laid plans sometimes go awry, I fear. Besides, Maximillian was the best I could do to further my plans to return to my home."
"Yes, ma'am," said Parisa. "Beg pardon, ma'am, but I do hope your parents will dislike him and send him and his mistress packing."
Briella grinned. "That makes two of us, Parisa. I fear only my parents' dislike of him could snap apart the bonds I forged with him…those bonds now entrapping me.
“But enough about my problems.”—Briella attempted to smile.—“Come help me to dress, and I shall venture out to confront Maximillian, the man who very well might be the devil, himself.” Briella grinned a little, but then, shaking her head, she added, "What a fool I have been. Worse, I have hurt—perhaps forever—the man I truly love and will always love."
Inhaling deeply, she said, "I thought perhaps the deep-brown skirt with fringe and beads, along with its matching vest, might do well for me today."
"Very good, Mistress." Then asked Parisa, "Would you like your off-white linen blouse or the stark-white one to go under the vest?"
"The long-sleeved off-white one?" asked Briella.
"Yes, ma'am."
"That will do very well, Parisa," Briella answered as she glanced out her window. "I intend to go hunting today. Yes, a good day of hunting might very well raise my spirits."
