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"Perhaps I will take a bit more" Isabel extended her plate, and the foot "Thank you, Jamison"

As Bel ate, Toby studied his intended bride for any signs of e, how easily she’d fallen into the pattern of their family life Most ladies would have beenhabits questioned in coe’s presuinald’s brash huer to beco and all She even knew the footmen by name

No, he noted no flush of huht, Isabel did look a trifle pale Heart-stoppingly beautiful, as always But pale

"Perhaps you’re overtired," he said, taking the excuse to stroke the underside of her wrist Her skin was so soft there "Between the wedding preparations and your weekly visits to the dispensary, and then thoseNa," his older sister protested "It’s the Society for Obviating the Necessity of Cliinald forked a soes on and on It’s a wonder you accos Once the name has been read aloud for the record, itthe Necessity of Cli Chi the Condition of Children, and so on and so on ad infinituave her husband a sharp look "I refuse to be lectured on verbosity by England’s -winded barrister"

"What ever the naht to leave off attending theand honeymoon"

"Oh, no" Isabel’s fork clattered to her plate "I couldn’t possibly Those poor children, Toby

… you don’t understand"

"I do understand I understand that you are a selfless, generous angel ould put the most pitiful wretch’s health above her own But if you don’t look after yourself, I shall be forced to look after you I will insist"

"Forced? Insist?" Augusta gave hilance "That’s a bit barbaric, don’t you think?"

"Precisely what is barbaric about expressing concern for lass, a bit more forcefully than he’d intended

Everyone’s eyes fell to the table In unison, each person lifted a glass and drank Slowly

"Toby is only teasing," Isabel said "He kno ihed He knew Those da to her For weeks now, Isabel had declined any typical a orphans and collecting charitable subscriptions Even the wedding preparations were a task she suffered through, he suspected She probably thought of lepers while she looked at sas in Surrey, Mother?" he asked, desperate to change the subject

"Well, as always" Lady Aldridge motioned for the footmen to clear the table "Except for one uess the annoyance’s name?"

Toby asked, "What’s Mr Yorke done this tireed to the placeo Now that the papers have been drawn up he refuses to sign, the is just to spite me Toby, you’ll have to speak with hih I never understood why"

With a self-effacing smile, Toby laid down his fork "This, from my own mother"

"You know I don’t mean it that way, dear," she said "It’s just--that man doesn’t like anyone"

Archibald Yorke owned the lands bordering their estate in Surrey He was a fixture in the neighborhood, known for his dry wit and shrewd bargains, and as the other prih, he’d taken soe family’s archnemesis Because Toby had assumed the baronetcy in his infancy, forwith Mr Yorke had fallen to hishad simply become a ive up Despite the history of rancor between the two--or perhaps because of it--Toby had always liked the man immensely In his youth, he’d been drawn to the prickly old bachelor They’d spentstreae, Yorke had provided young Toby with sanctuary and a sympathetic ear anytime he fled a punishs

"Who’s Mr Yorke?" Isabel asked

"A friend," Toby replied

At the sausta answered, "Mother’s enehbor," their mother said "And he’s not worth further discussion Let us speak of pleasanter things"

"Oh, Augusta," Isabel said, brightening As ever, charity absorbed her complete attention "I have an idea for the Society pamphlets My sister-in-law, Soph--"

Her voice trailed off Forks teetered midair

"Sophia," his mother completed smoothly "We know Sophia, dear"