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"Yes, you," Villiers stated

She laughed at hiirls won’t be prey to the likes of you They’ll know a trade when they leave me You think you can come in here and lord about, but what do you really have in the way of ed not to flinch

"I see that you think you’re co to save the poor orphans You fool, you fool! Do you have any idea how ive each of them a trade and a sense of purpose? And you--you’re one of the to his pantaloons now, so he switched his sword to his left hand and put his right on the child’s shoulder

Mrs Minchem’s eyes were maddened now "You’re one of theof your illicit, your disgusting, unions!"

Villiers resisted the irettable that Mrs Minchem actually had a point

Eleanor ree of these children does not excuse your treath the wo to treat theirls?" Mrs Minche, they will betray their origins They will becohtwalkers, like their mothers"

"I will not bandy words with you," Eleanor said, and there was a crushing finality to her tone "Leopold, su the pre just a split second to savor the fact that she’d used his given name instead of his title, Villiers turned to the eldest Jane "My coach in the courtyard, fetch a footman" She scurried off after one look at Mrs Minche volcano

"You--you--"

"Hush," Eleanor said, cutting through her words "You can explain yourself to a judge The children have heard enough, and so have I"

Villiers thought of agreeing, and decided that would be undignified

"Lisette," Eleanor said, not raising her voice

Lisette skipped up, children clinging to both hands

"We need a good woman to make sure these children are warm and clothed, and that their injuries are attended to Do you know of soe, or in your household?"

"I’ve never treated these girls with aught less than loving kindness," Mrs Minchem squealed

Villiers ather that sty, madam Do you wish to point the way?"

"Your children--your--"

"My children," he confirmed "Twins Currently nahters, who are apparently residing in the sty"

"You have children living here?" Lisette exclaimed

"The sty!" Eleanor said "As in a hos?"

For the first tiulped like a snake trying to s a large bird "Those girls had to be separated from the rest because they were a bad influence" Her jaw firmed and she put on a defiant air "Wicked, they were, especially Jane-Lucinda, and anyone who knows theree with me"

"My children the fiends," Villiers said pleasantly "Yes, that seems appropriate Now you will dome where to find the sty" He paused "I hardly need add that I hope, for your sake, that the both girls are healthy"