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"But …" She paused, recalling what he’d said to her earlier He never stated his insistence was about her Her face heated

Marcus strolled casually past her, heading in the direction of the ballrooe why you cannot ith me Just be certain he understands that I have no difficulty at all working with you"

Gritting her teeth, Elizabeth bit back every expletive that fought to blurt froame She also understood he would not leave her be until he decided he’d had enough, mission or not The only part of this debacle that ithin her power to control hether she survived this encounter with her pride intact

Her stohtened Now that she had rejoined society she would have to watch his seductions She would be forced to associate with the woht his fancy She would see the smiles he shared with the quickened Against every shred of self-respect and intelligence she had, she took the first step to follow him

The soft touch upon her elbow re well?"

She gave a jerky nod

"I will speak with Lord Eldridge as soon as possible and--"

"That won’t be necessary, Mr James"

Elizabeth waited until Marcus rounded the corner and disappeared fro Avery "My role is simply to deliver the journal Once that is accomplished the rest reents"

"Are you certain?"

She nodded again, anxious to finish the conversation and return to the ballroom

Avery’s look was clearly skeptical, but he said, "Very well I will assign two armed outriders to you Take them with you everywhere and send word to "

"Of course"

"Since we’ve finished here, I shall depart" His smile held a touch of relief "I never cared much for these affairs"

He lifted her hand and kissed the back

"Elizabeth?" Williah the vast space

Eyes wide, she clutched Avery’s fingers "My brotheris a her concern and trained to think on his feet, nodded grimly and ducked swiftly behind a rounded bush

Turning, she caught sight of Willia Like Marcus, he didn’t race, his leg bearing no outward sign of the injury that had als they could not have been more disparate in appearance She had the raven hair and amethyst eyes of their reen eyes of their father Tall and broad-shouldered he had the look of a Viking, strong and dangerous but prone to h lines that rimmed his eyes

"What are you about?" he queried, casting an overly curious glance around the atrium

Elizabeth tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, and steered hi the view Where is Margaret?"

"With her acquaintances" Willia her to halt with him "I was told you danced with Westfield earlier"

"Gossip already?"

"Stay away from him, Elizabeth," he warned softly

"There was no polite way to refuse him"

"Do not be polite I don’t trust hiht"

She sighed sadly at the rift she’d caused Marcus ood friend to William "The reputation he’s established these last few years has justifiedswept away by his char William toward the ballrooave no further resistance If they hurried, she ht be able to see where Marcus was headed

Marcus stepped out fro place behind a tree and brushed a stray leaf froaze re back until she disappeared fro desire he had for her His heart raced and his legs ached with the effort he exerted not to follow her and snatch her away for his pleasure

She was infuriatingly stubborn and obstinate, which is how he’d known she was perfect for him No other woman could arouse his passions thusly Furious or consumed with lust, only Elizabeth made his blood heat with the need to have her

He wished to God it was love he felt That eone Hunger only greorse with ti until it was fed

Avery appeared at his side "If that is what you call an ‘old friend,’ my lord, I would hate to see what your enemies are like"

His smile held no humor "She was to be my wife" Stunned silence was the reply "Have I rendered you speechless?"

"Da himself inwardly, Marcus asked, "Does she plan to speak with Eldridge?"

"No" Avery shot hilance "Are you certain your involvement is wise?"

"No," he adrateful that, despite the years, he still knew her so well "But I’e is determined to catch Hawthorne’s murderer In the course of our mission we er to achieve our ai Elizabeth’s life will not bring him back We will find other ways to carry out our mission"

Avery shook his head in silent bemusement "I trust you knohat you are about, even if I do not Now if you will excuse arden, before anything else untoward occurs"

"I believe I’ll accohed at Avery’s raised brow "When engaged in prolonged battle, a man must be prepared to retreat on occasion so that he may return refreshed to seize the day"

"Good God Battles and brothers and broken engagements Your personal history with Lady Hawthorne will only lead to trouble"

Marcus rubbed his hands together "I look forward to it"

Chapter 3

"I ae!" Elizabeth coe display of floas carried into the sitting roo courted by a devilishly handsoaret said dryly, as she smoothed her skirts and sat upon the settee