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John had tuned in at the mention of his surname Ewen hadn’t disclosed ins, and the boy was now looking puzzled Lily quickly replied, "Yes, quite" She was anxious to change the subject Rowena’s eyes were intense, and Lily feared whateverShe was obviously territorial when it ca on Rowena’s domain was about as evident as a cloud of stink from a skunk

"And just where in France are you from?" Rowena’s tone hinted that any place other than a cow pasture would come as a surprise

"Oh …" Lily’sthat wouldn ’t have changed too h France once, and her memories were doe, you probably wouldn’t have heard of it "

"Try rave;s charaze narrowed "What’s the nae?"

Dread unfurled in Lily’s belly She had to choose probably the one Francophile--and a nasty one at that--in all the Highlands to test her story on

"Oh …" Panicking, Lily could only recall place naes of lavender water lilies and golden hay bales flickered through her mind Not entirely sure how to pronounce Giverny, she quickly said, "Arles" Lily hoped nobody pressed her for details because all she knew of Arles cas

"Arles" Rowena rolled it speculatively over her tongue Lily tried not to look visibly relieved that the wonize the name

"Yes Arles, " Lily replied hat she hoped was a tone of finality

"Well " Silence hung for a racefully appeared in Rowena’s hand and she flicked it open with a dramatic flourish "I don’t kno you stand this heat! "

Lily quietly exhaled at the topic change She seeation

The wo at her neck and breast "I am myself not particularly accustorin, she studied Lily’s face "I can tell from -- the … healthy color in your cheeks that you often find yourself alfresco"

Lily couldn ’t iuess exactly what he must see in her Flawlessly pretty, delicate, and, if the way she doted on John was any indication, shewith his father

"Yes, " Lily replied, er able to bear being the sole focus of Rowena’s inquiry, Lily looked to John for a little relief and asked the boy aood tiang of kids down the road, ran off, lanced back at Rowena in tie" under her breath Then just as swiftly as the cattiness had appeared, serenity bloo over her face like a single wave s a sandy shore

Lily shivered and made a mental note to steer clear of this particular brand of poison in a corset

Chapter 14

"Och, lass, you ’re like a wet cat trapped in a sack! Now stand yourself still while …"

Kat cinched Lily’s corset a hair tighter, and Lily could’ve sworn she heard a rib crack "Oh! " Lily exclairumbled, "I don ’t understand omen do this "