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"Would it bother you if we don’t have children?"

"Not particularly One of ht it out, Poppy, and the only thing we can do is just pretend that all this bedding business doesn’t exist We haven’tjust fine"

Poppy didn’t really think he was fine There was a tightness about hi in the wind…but she didn’t want to think about that What she wantedwas to believe hi rew

She let it grow so to be his willing little acolyte, slavishly grateful for his every glance He was staring at the floor, looking rather miserable Good

"I wouldn’t want you to do this just because of h I knoell that reat deal to do with your plea for my return"

"Your mother has no part in my request"

She didn’t believe that for amore important that had to be said

"You’d have to understand that I don’t feel the sah I am very fond of you, Fletch"

He nodded A lock of hair fell over his eyes and he looked so delicious that she almost jumped up to put her arms around him and make him foolish promises Maybe she could try harder…

No

She had felt free in the lastabout her dress, and how she looked, and whether her husband would think she was stupid for buying curiosities, or whether he was coht

"I’ back home," she added "Not yet"

He looked stunned "Why not?"

"Because I don’t want to"

"Is this because of that Loudan fellow?" When Fletch frowned he looked thrillingly pirate-like, Poppy thought

"In a way it is I always thought it would be is of the Royal Society I hid my books I tried so hard to be a proper duchess and make you happy I’ve acquired a cabinet for ht as arn you, Fletch, that it was quite expensive, as it’sof Sweden The other day I bought an ancient Greek coin for it And I saw an advertiseinia wampu! You can have all the wampum you want, what ever that is"

"I don’t feel like being a duchess at the moment"

"You are a duchess," he said stubbornly "I’m your duke and you should be at home with me"

"This is about my mother, isn’t it?"

"No It’s about you Andyou’re not there for breakfast And I don’t like going to parties without you I ine why We haven’t talked about anything particularly interesting in years"

"I thought it was interesting Perhaps I like talking about boring things with you"

"I don’t want to go back to your house"

"It’s your looed the drapery"

"Very for in Versailles"

"How could I take the pleasure away fro "She alanted to be a duchess"