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"I find that quite alar," he said, his tone low and more serious than she had ever heard it In truth, she had al but mildly amused by circumstances around him "I also dislike the look of the men who patrol the borders of the property Tela deep breath, she decided to tel her friend all that she knew He listened attentively, as he always did, as if every word that left her mouth was of the utmost importance She adored him for that

By the tied before her, his blue eyes intense and the line of his ?"

Amelia blinked and then looked down at her intertwined hands "Once or twice," she admitted "But truly, I aovernesses gentle and even te What would I do, if I were to leave? Where would I go? How foolish would I be to set out on my oith no destination and no ain "If my father is correct aboutently, setting his hand atop of hers, "or you would not ask me to post this for you"

"Wouldn’t you be curious?" she asked, genuinely seeking his counsel

"Of course, but then I am a curious fel ow"

"Well, I am a curious female"

His blue eyes se this task for you"

"Oh, thank you!" She tossed her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek Then, e

Ware, however, had a soft s for," he murmured "But it will do"

Chapter 18

Siainst the padded headboard and reached for the glass of wine that rested on the small table by the bed His skin was heated by his exertions, so he ignored the linens and all owed the occasional breeze from the nearby open sash to cool hilanced down at the pretty blonde beside him with a lazy sirl sat up, revealing slass

"So telher careful y beneath heavy-lidded eyes, "about this secret panel in Lord Sedgewick’s house"

Aulp that made him wince inwardly "’e uses it to ’ide ’is liquor"

"His contraband liquor"

"Aye"

"And access can be gained near the coal chute?"

She nodded, her curls swaying around her appealing features "Makes the deliveries simpler You won’t steal it, will you?"

"Of course not," he soothed "I si silass, then painted theto where his seh "We will return to that in aa smile at how easy she was to distract

Her lower lip thrust out in a pout

"When does he receive call ers?"

"Tuesdays and Thursdays from three to six"

He smiled Once he finished here, he would visit the space and ascertain whether it was possible to hear clearly through the wal s or not If so, he would schedule a man to sit in that spot every Tuesday and Thursday in the hopes of learning ewick had approached Maria at the masquerade, and Simon would learn of it

But first he had to finish his business here

He set aside his glass and glanced at Amy with a seductive smile She shivered and lay back down quickly

Ah, it is a strenuous job, he thought with an inner grin

Then he set to work

Amelia was so excited about the letter to Maria that she practical y skipped through the trees toward the house For the first ti She had a goal, and she had set in motion the steps required to achieve it Lost in the heady excite arms, but her startled cry was smothered by a warm, passionate mouth and her protest instantly turned into a plaintive moan

"Colin," she breathed with her eyes closed and her lips curved in a sruffly, both of his powerful arms banded around her waist and lower back

"Tel ," she ain

"It would be better if you were," he said, releasing her with a sigh

Opening her eyes, Amelia noted his frown and the harshly set line of his sensual lips "Why are you so deter so wonderful?"

His lips curved rueful y "Sweet A hair fel over his brow, fra those dark eyes she adored