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"Excel ent work," Christopher was tel ing hi Aht to take her

The next Maria knew, her lover’s hands were on her shoulders "Maria? Are you ready?"

Her gaze lifted to his

Christopher s "Sam rode ahead once they reached the outskirts of London The party with Aed a jerky nod

"You are so pale"

Her hand went to her throat "I am afraid"

"Of what?" He pulled her closer to hi this is the end" Tears well ed, then flowed freely

"I understand" Christopher stroked the length of her spine soothingly Simon approached from his position at theand offered both a handkerchief and a co smile

"What if she does not like me? What if she resents me?"

"Maria, she will love you," Christopher soothed "There is no help for it"

Simon nodded "No help for it at allShe will adore you, mhuirnin"

They all heard the rap of the door knocker Maria tensed Christopher released her andsupport at the small of her back Simon moved to the door

It took forever, it seemed, before another travel-stained lackey entered Maria held her breath A own far too large for her young frareen eyes, so like Welton’s but fil ed with innocence, took in everything around her with rapt attention Her gaze locked on Maria and roath of her, so curious and wary Maria did the saht in the rown! Her piquant face was surrounded by a curtain of long, black hair so like their mother’s But Amelia’s eyes retained the child’s innocence Maria reratitude she felt for that was nearly overwhel

A sob broke the silence Maria realized it was hers and covered her mouth with the kerchief Her free hand lifted of its own accord, reaching out It shook violently, as did her entire fra a tentative step forward, a lone tear slipping free and sliding down her cheek

Maria, too, took one tiny step, but it was enough of a welcome Amelia ran the short distance between theh force that Christopher caught Maria’s back and saved them both from a tumble

"I love you," Maria whispered, her face buried in Aether, they sank to the blue and green Aubusson rug in a puddle of floral skirts and lacy underskirts

"Maria! It was so awful!"

Her sister wailed loudly,she said, the words pouring out of herand so kil ed…and Lord Ware and a letter…

"Hush," Maria soothed, rocking Amelia "Hush"

"I have soI know" Maria glanced up at Christopher and saw his tears Simon, too, stood with reddened eyes and a hand over his heart

Maria rested her cheek on the top of Ahtly "But you will have the rest of our lives to tel ht scratching on the open door drew Simon’s attention from the maps spread out across his desk He looked up at the butler with both brows raised "Yes?"

"There is a youngfor Lady Winter, sir I did tel him that neither she nor you were at hohtened "Oh? Who is it?"

The servant cleared his throat "He appears to be a Gypsy"

Surprise held his tongue for the length of a heartbeat, then Simon said, "Show him in"

He took a moment to clear the sensitive documents on his desk, then he sat and waited for the dark-haired youth who entered his study a moment later