Naomi arched a brow at the mention of the girls imprisonment.  Somehow she could not envision the young woman in prison.  But, if the Duke wished to try to keep a stubborn girl from her destiny, then he certainly had the right to try.  Although it did not look to Naomi that he was having much success.  And if this ruffian was on the Dukes pay to keep the girl in line … well … the results spoke for themselves.<br/><br/>She had to laugh when the gentleman used the honorific<em>“My Lady.”  </em>No one in her life had ever referred to her in that manner and, although it was flattering, she carried no illusions as to her place in society.<br/><br/>She held up a gloved hand.<br/><br/>“I assure you sir I do not pretend to have earned the title<em>“Lady”</em>as I am but a lowly teacher of the art of fencing and nothing more.  But I would very much like to sit over a goblet of wine perhaps and learn more about this intriguing girl and her quest.  I will do what I can to aide her so long as it does not attract the unwarranted attentions of the Duke.  If you lead the way I will follow.”<br/><br/>Naomi kept her judgment of the man in check for his temper seemed, to her, to be somewhat akin to the sensitive trigger of a crossbow in the hands of a fledgling archer.  The Bard was already leading her small party toward a familiar Inn and Naomi wet her lips in anticipation of tasting a fine wine at someone else’s expense.  She also knew that knowledge was power and she intended to learn all she could of everyone connected with this young Bard.<br/>