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Anne looked up "Why--Why--"

Eleanor slove

"But you’ve seen hi ring!" She froze "Eleanor, I’ve seen this ring" Her voice was hushed "Your Mr Orant"

"What do you"I have certainly seen bigger diamonds"

"It has been on display at Stedman and Vardan, the jewelers on New Bond Street for over a ed to Queen Elizabeth, until she threw it to Sir Walter Raleigh after a jousting tournament The diamond in the middle is one of the finest examples of a European cut that Mr Stedrew round "Eleanor, what sort of fortune could Mr Or It was so like her own, darling Leopold He had found the one ring in England that would suit both of the cost more than aprobably cost s, Eleanor! He , awed "Hebut you for the last three years"

"Not exactly," Eleanor said, bea "Not exactly"

Chapter Thirty-three

London residence of the Duke of Montague

Septeue said, bestowing a measured smile on the man who, in a matter of two days, would become her son-in-law "I suppose you would like to see Eleanor She is in the o there on your own"

The duchess’s visitors, Lady Festle and Mrs Quinkhardt, shed at the look in his eye

He was alhter tells ift"

The Duke of Villiers boith a great deal of address "I did pro, Your Grace"

The duchessFor, as she explained to her bosohter in a es in the slightest indiscretion," she told the as prudish as a reforh I wouldn’t have believed it myself, I believe it now! He doesn’t even dance with her more than twice or at most three ti couple engages in inappropriate behavior, and I can assure you…they never do!"

All of London was discussing the ring, naturally, and the duchess’s chest swelled with pride as she confirhter Eleanor was indeed wearing a dia that had previously been worn by Queen Elizabeth "I aift," she told theh Perhaps there is a diade!"

Eleanor looked up fro over the fact the orphanage was being moved to Hampshire, when Villiers entered the room and closed the door behind him

Since their betrothal, he had settled on a style somewhere between hi, when he first appeared without a wig--but still clad in subdued black velvet Magnificent black velvet, but without even a touch of eold buttons

"I don’t do it for you," he had said, imperturbable as ever "It’s the children They are so wildly disrespectful when I appear in full court dress that I have adopted the path of least resistance"

Noalked forith that little secret s into his ar his head down and de a kiss One of his kisses One of those that sent them both into a spin of heat and pleasure and desire

"I have brought you a betrothal present," he said, catching his breath and starting to unbutton his very proper coat