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"And do not laugh It is a orously "No talking, no laughing"
"I will reward you well for this, love," he said gently "Your cooperation is greatly appreciated"
"You knoould do anything for you You gave me a home and a family I owe you my life"
With a careless toss of his hand, Christopher waved away her gratitude and his discomfiture with it He never knehat to say when people thanked hireat help to elica s his hand to kiss the back "So is this dress the one?"
He nodded "Yes You look stunning"
Her s rooe to attempt this deception," Philip said froonize Sedgewick now," Christopher explained, lighting a cheroot off a nearby taper "Until I knohat my next move will be, it’s best to leave him with his il usions of power It will set hi me to work on a permanent solution without his interference"
"I have seen only renderings of Lady Winter, but from the tales I have heard she sounds quite unique It is hard to iaze resting briefly on the reflection of light in Philip’s spectacles The young , unfashionable as the style was It ht years
"Very hard, but Maria is too il to attend, there is no skirting around that fact The risk to her health outweighs eere to detect the ruse, I could explain it in so that Maria and I are…" Christopher exhaled, releasing a puff of fragrant sethat no one will notice the differences between the tomen"
"It is inal to the fake In this case, Maria has been out of Town for a fortnight The guests will have to rely upon their elica and I will ewick posthaste and then ill depart quickly"
Philip lifted his brandy-fil ed glass "May your plan succeed flawlessly"
Christopher grinned "They usual y do"
Chapter 9
A s they waited in the line of carriages approaching the Campion manse, Maria breathed in and out with a ht her such pain she felt nauseous The constriction of her corset did not help ear in the see la for you," he murmured
"Thank you"
"Despite the circued a wan s I anticipate a half hour, though the actual assignation may take up a bit more time than that"
"I will send a footman after you if an hour passes You will be call ed away Say it is St John who seeks your coe rattled over the cobblestones of the circular drive and then stopped again This time the door was pulled open and her footman extended his hand to assist her down He was careful, but not obviously so Maria rewarded his concern with a soft smile, then she took the steps and entered theline was torture, as wasCareat relief that she was freed from the formalities, and with a quick adjustment of her feathered half-own of pale pink with its silver ribbons and lace was hidden beneath her black do her injury, leaving her no other recourse Because of her lack of options, Maria wore her garments with aplomb, but kept a discreet profile Shebetween guests, sending out a silent signal to stay away that, thankful y, was effective
Her gaze drifted fro for Welton Overhead, three hting up the ornate ceiling with its elaborate uests spun about on the dance floor in a profusion of lace, impressively styled coiffures, and floral fabrics Nule hu because it inning to think she ht survive the excursion when she was buuest Pain lanced down her left side and she gasped, her body turning away in self-defense
"Forgiveto face the offending person, she found herself standing before a ewick!" a portly man call ed out Maria knew him to be Lord Pearson, a man who spoke and imbibed far too much Since she had no wish to speak to hiewick, she hurried away
It was then that she saw hi beneath the candlelight, his powerful form resplendent in cream silk accented by beautiful embroidery Despite the mask that hid his features, she kneas Christopher He was leaning over a dark-haired wo his affection
His pro in her shoulder faded as a different feeling of hurt took over
"Ah, there you are" Welton’s voice behind her ain?" he asked as she turned to face hi to wear?"
"What do you want?"