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"That’s not the same at all"

"Isn’t it?" His frustration was obvious "If you don’t like o into society and choose a husband yourself"

She stared at hi moment Within her, a decision dovetailed into place "Very well, then Perhaps I will"

He shook his head "Lily, sooner or later you’ll have to …"

She could tell the instant hersank in Julian froze from the tips of his boots to the roots of his hair, hisopen a fraction To his credit, he did not quite fall off the bench

"What did you say?" he asked "Repeat it for ht that’s my line"

He was not aain I will reenter society But only if you come with me"

His expression went froht, clear autuestured at the bare-branched trees above theainst the blue sky "A perfect day to co? But …"

"Don’t et Leo That would be impossible But he would want us to move forith our lives We are both of us healthy and reasonably young, and we reside in one of the largest, grandest cities in Christendoo out, see our friends Have fun"

"Fun?" His expression was incredulous "The two of us?"

"Yes, fun Amusement Good cheer I know it’s been awhile, but surely you remember the concept? You were always the life of a party before"

"Yes, before This is after"

She gentled her demeanor "It won’t coo on as we are We must push ourselves to seek aly enough, perhaps ill succeed in convincing ourselves"

In truth, going to parties was the last thing in the world Lily felt like doing But she could think of no other way to divert Julian fro

He pushed a hand through his unruly black hair "You just said you don’t want to ive a few gentleentleed Attend one party, and they’ll be "

"Then I should think you’d be pleased"

Oddly enough, Julian did not look especially pleased He gave no answer, except to feint at a cluster of nearby pigeons, setting the creatures aflutter

"Settle your feathers," she said, trying to lighten the mood "If you want me to attract suitors, I need the cos, Leo helped e in a hundred small ways It will be difficult without hiin to describe the prospect of facing society without her brother Over the years, they’d developed a systes He helped her follow the conversation, let her know if she was speaking too softly or too loudly Without hie at all But she would find a way, if itJulian He insisted it would only take a few events to have suitors thronging her doorstep Well, perhaps it would take just a few events to remind him of his zest for life, pull him out of this deep well of sorrow She could only pray

"Lily, I cannot be your escort It’s not appropriate You’re aware of my reputation"

"Yes I’m aware of it"

"I seduce women It’s what I do I enter into illicit affaires hat’s becoarland stretching the length of the billiard rooarters of my paramours"

"I said, I’m aware of your reputation" Lily’s mouth twisted "But thank you so , I know It wasn’t arters ofthe back of his neck "The fellows just string a new one up whenever I’ve--"

"Really No further explanation is necessary" She fought the blush creeping up her face Men, and their tasteless displays of virility "At any rate, you needn’t worry I promise not to hamper your amatory pursuits"

"No, that’s not it" He esture "You’ll be ruined That’s the problem If you’re seen with me too often, you’ll be tainted by association"

"Ah, but only an iuard her reputation People overlook those things where rank and fortune are involved" She smiled "Everyone will understand we are only friends And even if they don’t … I ive me a little thrill to be assuht an invalid I arters to your club"

"Don’t even joke like that" His face clouded, and he shifted his long liain

He went on, "There are other reasons"

"Such as …?"

"I simply haven’t the time I’m busy There are still places I haven’t searched, men I haven’t interviewed I don’t have time for parties For God’s sake, I haven’t even been round to the club in s of your ti for forever" When he set his jaw and looked away, she sighed "Leo was killed His edy We have grieved and mourned and suffered But now I have accepted the reality and decided to ain?"