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--Isabel had crawled straight into his breast pocket and made a ho to do with the point when his fingers crawled into her bodice …

At any rate, the gaet even with Gray anyrown accustomed to Isabel’s lovely sht He’d come to live off her sweet faith, the perfect trust in her eyes when she gazed at hi without it--anywithout air, or food Whether her brother believed it or not, Toby truly wanted, , to keep his wife happy

Whichhis promises

Good Lord

All his proain Toby looked up, expecting to see Jeremy, prepared to assume his role of best man Instead, in walked a much older friend--in reeted hiive me last-minute advice?"

"How’s this for advice? Run away You’re ins and fools"

"And here you’ve remained a bachelor all these years" Toby chuckled "Astonishing"

The old h "Didn’t think I’d be able to dissuade you Thought it orth a try, though--just to witness the fit that woh for the second time" Mr Yorke withdrew a flask froh with it, perhaps you need soeratefully "Actually, I believe I do" He leaned against the stoneledge and ood fifteen years since she tookto ruffle her feathers with this" He tossed back aof that woman--"

"You know, ‘that woman’ happens to be my mother Not to mention, a lady"

"That woman has just related to me another of her pernicious lies She says you ainst me in the election You mean to contest my seat in Parliament, she says! I know it has to be a falsehood"

"Well…" Toby hedged Here was one of those pro to--"

"Do you want to kno I know it’s a falsehood? Aside fro, of course" Yorke took back his flask and downed a s "That wo"

"That woman speaks the truth, I’m afraid But I can explain You see--"

"Gah!" Yorke drained the brandy and sent the flask clattering to the floor "Honestly As a Whig, Toby?" He ht you nothing? It would be one thing if you wanted to take up politics on the proper side I’d take you under h for you Hell, I’d nominate you myself But after all these years--all those tirouse fro?"

"I know, I know It’s a tragedy I’ll have to start frequenting Brooks’" Toby put a hand on Yorke’s shoulder, taking quick stock of his friend and their lifelong acquaintance The old ht, Toby did owe hireat deal He recalledfor trout in the stream between their lands, and he recalled several occasions when his neighbor had fished him out of a scrape

What he didn’t recall was precisely when Yorke had become so ancient The man’s snowy hair had thinned considerably in recent years, and his once-subtle smile lines had deepened to permanent furrows

"Give me a moment to explain," Toby said "It’s not my mother’s idea, it’s irl; I don’t deserve her at all She has her heart set on seeing me in Parliament, Lord knohy But I promised her I’d run, in a moment of… weakness Serious weakness"

"Ah," Yorke said one south on holiday?"

"So their trunks for a return visit, just at thehistory of service and unparalleled popularity with the electors She’s been well infor, but she is determined to see me try, I’e her"

"And to inconvenience esture "What can I say? She’s prettier"