<div align="center"><em>Christine</em></div><br/>Christine had no idea that Charity had complained about them, but when Alistair returned wielding a bloody knife and talking about the horse trainer, she blanched. Surely he hadn't...Oh dear. Letting go of Annalisa's hand, she gasped as he yanked on her leash, pulling her up and over to him. She was unceremoniously shoved to the ground, and she whimpered as her sore ass stung.<br/><br/>Breathing hard, she realized that Alistair had done that for her. He wanted her so badly he was willing to kill for it. Although that scared her, she had to admit it caused her to look at him in a different way. When she heard his 'reward' for Louis, though, Christine looked with horror to Annalisa. She was so sweet, and she had been a good friend for the few minutes they'd known each other.<br/><br/>"Alistair, could he not take his reward after dinner? She has already been punished in public tonight."<br/><br/>Her tone held no sarcasm or hostility, just an attempt to help her friend. Looking to the door, she remembered the maid and how she'd burned her hand. She wanted to help, but she knew she couldn't right now. Luckily, the Lord of the house assisted the poor girl.