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"Thank you, Prescott"
Collin Blackburn froze at the sound of her voice She watched him turn and step back inside, watched his eyes slide past her to search the corners of the huge entry for a ure, but when he realized who she was, only the barest lift of russet brows betrayed his shock "Lady Alexandra"
She let him stare a entle breeches before, none other than her brother She was dressed inappropriately, indecently even, but it mattered not in the least She was a fallen woman She'd earned the freedom to do as she pleased, so she let him look his fill and took the chance to study him as well
He stood as tall as her brother but wider Wide shoulders, broad chest Definitely no padding in that coat His body wasn't bulky though He was, in a word, solid
His face looked purelyThe slightly crooked nose spoke of an old fight, but his high cheekbones and wide lanced back to the clear gray eyes that studied her so intently and saw his pupils tighten when he aze
"Thank you for seeing me"
"Prescott, would you have tea brought to the office, please? Mr Blackburn?" Gesturing back toward the hall, she spun on her heel to lead the way Her long red coat opened as she turned, and she felt the heed the curve of her thigh and hip There was noof his eyes, even at the corner of her vision He'd had quite the view
Gritting her teeth against the thrill that chased through her, Alexandra buttoned the coat and hurried toward the door of her cra room would be more appropriate, she supposed, but not dressed like this Her ainst a backdrop of flowered upholstery
Alexandra stepped into the office and waved Blackburn toward a pair of chairs by theHe waited until she took the chair opposite his, then sat and crossed a booted ankle over his knee
"What did you wish to discuss with me, Mr Blackburn?"
He let a heartbeat pass, then another He watched her and frowned A lock of hair fell over his brohen he finally inclined his head "I'm here t
o ask a few questions"
"Questions?"
"About Damien St Claire"
The nahtened the muscles of her jaw in a painful bunch Blood rushed to her ears, roared like crashing waves She couldn'tmoment, couldn't make her throat work A deep breath forced it open "I think that you should leave," she said very carefully, very evenly
Blackburn shook his head, began to protest, but she stood and stabbed a finger at the door "No It's obvious my brother did not send you here Leave You can find your way out" She pushed past him to the desk and dropped into the seat behind it, hands frantically shuffling papers A rush of hurt surged in her chest Why would she think he'd be different from any other man?
Standing with slow purpose, he stepped toward her and leaned to rest his fists on the desktop His jaw looked as hard as hers felt "Lady Alexandra, I need to knohat happened between you and St Claire—and John Tibbenham"