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For a moment the captain was speechless He frowned thunderously, but Simon knehen he had scored a point

"Ha Well Ha" The older gentlelanced at the coach "Just what I’d expect from city toffs Ha Have to tell Mrs Brodie, then"

He turned in tie The manservant had co at Simon’s liveried coachman and foote said with the first hint of reverence Sihter be dressed, silver braid and purple coats ’Course, gold braid would be even better But still, it’s a lot finer than some dress their staff"

"Staff?" The captain looked outraged "You’re not staff You’re the odd-jobs man Now help them with the boxes Good God, staff" And with that he stoe headed in the opposite direction, also

"I don’t think he likes me," Christian whispered

"The captain?" Sier man "No, no The man positively adores you That’s just his way, really Did you see the puckish twinkle in his eye?"

Christian half smiled, as if uncertain whether to take Si To be so young in the world, like a new-hatched chick, its feathers still wet fron fowl and the threat of the foxes lurking just out of sight

But then Siht "Where did you hear these rumors of my imminent deton’s ball the other evening and again the next afternoon at my coffeehouse But I didn’t take it very seriously until I heard it at Angelo’s" Christian shrugged "And, of course, you didn’t show for our regular elo Malevolti Treelo to his patrons--was the fashionable fencing entlemen attended the Italian’s lessons or came to his school of arms in Soho simply to practice and exercise Simon had actually o The younger man had openly admired Simon’s technique Sohis acolyte pointers on form

"What did happen to you?" They entered the hall, dark after the sun outside Christian’s strides were long and quick as he talked, and it was an effort for Si weakness "Henry didn’t seem to know"

"Stabbed" The captain was already in the sitting room and must have overheard the question as they entered "The viscount was stabbed in the back Hit the shoulder blade Farther to the left and the knife would’ve pierced a lung"

"Then I guess he was lucky" Christian stood as if uncertain how to proceed

"Daht, he was lucky" The captain made nowound? Eh? Can’t breathe Suffocates in his own blood Nasty way to end"

Sinoring the pain in his back "Your description fascinates ely, Captain"

"Ha" The captain settled in an arrim smile on his face "What fascinates me is why you were attacked in the first place Eh? Jealous husband? Insulted so by himself, looked around and found a wooden chair by the settee He lowered himself, only to freeze as the chair creaked ominously

"I’ve insulted many, many men over the course of my lifetime, I’m sure" Simon smiled back at the captain He mustn’t underestimate the older man’s perception "As for jealous husbands, well, discretion forbids I say anything"

"Ha! Discretion--"

But the captain was interrupted by the entrance of his daughter, followed by Mrs Brodie carrying a tea tray

Sis and alain

"My dearest lady," Si over her hand "I ahtened and tried to tell if she’d been avoiding him today, but her eyes were veiled, and he could not discern her thoughts He felt a surge of frustration

The angel’s lips curved "You had better be careful, Lord Iddesleigh One day my head may be quite turned by your flowery compliments"

Siered back "A hit A direct hit"

She solden eyes to Christian "Who is your guest?"

"He is but the poor son of a baronet and red-haired to boot Hardly worth your divine notice"

"For shalance--oddly effective--and held out her hand to Christian "I like ginger hair And what is your name, poor son of a baronet?"

"Christian Fletcher, Miss?" The younger ly and bowed

"Craddock-Hayes" She curtsied "I see you’ve already met my father"

"Indeed" Christian raised her hand to his lips, and Sie to throttle hih?" she asked

"I--"

But Sih of her attention elsewhere "Christian is everything I hold dear in a fellow man" For once he didn’t know if he spoke the truth or lied

"Really?" Her face was sole him so seriously; no one else did, not even hian to pour the tea "Have you known Lord Iddesleigh long, Mr Fletcher?"

The younger man smiled as he accepted his teacup "Only a few months"

"Then you do not knohy he was attacked?"

"I’m afraid not, ma’am"

"Ah" Her eyes met Simon’s as she proffered his tea

Sier across her hand as he accepted the cup She blinked but didn’t drop her gaze Brave little angel "I wish I could assuage your curiosity, Miss Craddock-Hayes"

"Harruhter