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The real Eleanor felt strangely calm Gideon seemed too beautiful, and too passive Why did he want her to do all the kissing? Why did she have to--

She cleared her throat "Not tonight," she said "You’re right It wouldn’t be appropriate"

She had the door alain under the pressure of his hand "I don’t feel co you here with Villiers and those bastards of his"

"I’ Lisette," she said patiently

"How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long will your visit be?"

"Oh, a few ht

"I’ll come back," he said "I’ll escort you and your mother back to London"

"But then everyone will know--"

"I love you," he said, his voice shaking a bit "I love you and the world can know I a to accept censure in order to have you"

"Wonderful," Eleanor said weakly She closed the door, leaned against it, her forehead against the cool wood "Wonderful"

Chapter Twenty-three

Knole House, country residence of the Duke of Gilner

June 20, 1784

"Someone must find places to which we can send the children for the treasure hunt," Lisette said briskly "Eleanor, why don’t you do that? It’s outdoors and you can take that dog with you I need you to find four appropriate places fro froht"

"It looks like rain," Villiers said, peering outside

"Then you go with her and hold an umbrella," Lisette said She turned to Eleanor’s mother "May I ask you…"

Eleanor rose and walked out of the roons of a worief, or so else, he didn’t know

Grief would be a bit iven that the Duke of Astley had swooped in and declared his love True, he was already gone when the household rose, but that was just hiscross because your prince has left?" he asked, catching up with Eleanor just as she sent a footave him a cool look over one shoulder "He’ll be back"

"No one could believe otherwise, given his ardor yesterday"

Eleanor had an odd look on her face, but just then the foot the happy prospect of a walk by barking

"Hush," Eleanor said

Naturally he paid no heed to that, so Villiers unbelted his sword stick, gave it to a footly that he was an abo could be done about his jaw, but his manners were another story

"Quiet," he said

Oyster stopped in mid-yap