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"I see There does not seem to appear a need to explain what, or should I say who, has kept you occupied"

Jocelyn sensed Lucien stiffen Slowly he leaned forward to stab the noblelare "Take care, my lord, I have little patience for fools"

There was no ly color suddenly stained Lord Patten’s narrow face

"Indeed? And who ly"

"Valin?" The dandy frowned as he attenition rippled over the thin features "Are you related to Mr Ravel?"

"A cousin," Lucien readily ad to take pleasure in the obvious unease at the mention of his relative Jocelyn could only presu society

"Oh" There was an aard pause as Lord Patten sought to disguise his sudden embarrassment At last he turned toward Jocelyn with a strained s tore through her at the offhand words, but thankfully she ed to appear utterly indifferent

"No"

"Then with a friend?"

"I now possess enuine flare of shock widened the dark eyes at her abrupt announce simply did not possess their own establishrotto, being seduced by a known rake

"Your own establish home Please excuse us"

"Wait Surely I shall see you about town?"

"Highly doubtful"

"But"

"Good day,her fierce need to be away from the man who had created such pain in her past, Lucien fir down the dandy as foolish enough to attelance backward as they bowled down the street and turned toward the less respectable area of town Instead, she deterht to battle back the horrid memories that threatened to sweep over her

It was the past She had survived and even made a co upon what could not be changed

They traveled in silence for some time before Lucien at last slowed the pace of the horses and slanted a searching gaze over her taut profile

"An old friend of yours, I presuh Lord Patten would be the last person she would ever choose as a friend

"An acquaintance," she retorted stiffly

"Oh, no, there is more than that between the two of you"

She sternly kept her gaze trained upon the shabby houses that now lined the narrow street

"I do not wish to discuss Lord Patten"

"He is the one who hurt you," he said softly

Her hands clenched upon her lap She never wished to discuss the scandal that had ruined her life Not with anyone But she especially did not wish to discuss it with this gentle She did not wish to see the tender concern that gloithin those eyes diingly conceded

"And he refused to stand by your side when the situation became messy?"

Her lips twisted with a remembered pain "Everyone refused to stand by "

There was a short pause "Not even your parents?"

Her nails bit into her palms until she drew blood "Lucien, I said I do not wish to discuss this"

Without warning he reached out to run his fingers over her cheek in a fa coave a slow nod of his head

"As you wish"

Several hours later Lucien silently slid toward the abandoned warehouse It had not been a simple decision to leave Jocelyn on her own Not only did the ever-dangerous Amadeus and his deadly henchmen concern him, he also realized that she was still upset by their brief encounter with Lord Patten Upset enough to have spent the entire evening in her roo even to come down for dinner

His features unconsciously hardened at the ant pup down and teach hi an innocent maiden was nearly unbearable He did not doubt it would take only a few moments to make the man sorry he had ever dared to hurt Jocelyn