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He rubbed his jaw, thinking Either he’d shaved recently or he had a light beard; late as it was, he showed no sign of stubble

"I don’t know," he said finally "I have never seen the question addressed in law Still, any couple ells together as man and wife are consideredwould fall into that class, would it not?"

"It ether," Brianna said She sighed "I think I’er won’t coally bound to him Even by the Scots custom, I’m not bound beyond a year and a day She wants to pick a husband for ht you were the newest candidate, when you showed up"

Lord John looked amused at the idea

"Oh That would explain the oddly assorted coentlee?--seemed inclined to pay you attention beyond the norood it will do him" Brianna snorted briefly "You should have seen the looks Mrs Alderdyce kept givingto have her ewe lamb--God, he must be forty, if he’s a day--marry the local whore of Babylon I’d be surprised if she ever lets hie "I think I’ve seen to that"

One brow rose, and Grey smiled wryly at her He set down his teacup and reached for the sherry decanter and a glass

"Ah? Well, while I ady, Miss Fraser--ret to inform you that your tactics do not suit the terrain upon which you’ve chosen to employ them"

"What do you lass in hand, surveying her kindly

"Mrs Alderdyce Not being blind--though by no means as astute as your aunt--I did indeed observe her observing you But you mistake the nature of her observations, I’ at her over the ried respectability, by any ht

"It’s what?"

"Granny lust," he repeated He sat up hiolden liquid carefully "You know; an elderly worandchildren to dandle upon her knee, spoil with sweetlass to his nose and reverently breathed in the vapors "Oh, ambrosia I haven’t had a decent sherry in two years, at least"

"What--you mean Mrs Alderdyce thinks that I--I mean, because I’ve shown I’randchildren out of e could pick any healthy girl--of good character," she added bitterly, "and be fairly sure of having children by her"

He took a drink, let it drift across his tongue, and sed, relishing the final ghost of the taste before answering "Well No I rather think that she realizes he could not Or would not; it makes no difference" He looked at her directly, pale blue eyes unblinking

"You said it yourself--he is forty and une!" The moment her horrified exclamation came out, she realized the idiocy of it, and clapped a hand over her h with a wry edge to it

"The ht; he could have his choice of any girl in the county If he has not so chosen…" He paused delicately, then lifted his glass to her in ironic toast "I rather think that Mrs Alderdyce has realized that her son’s e to you is her best--possibly her only--expectation of having the grandchild she so ardently desires"

"Daht with despair "It doesn’t matter what I do I’m doomed They’ll have me ive me leave to doubt that," he said His smile quirked sideways, a little painfully "From what I have seen of you, you have your mother’s bluntness and your father’s sense of honor Either would be sufficient to preserve you from such entrapment"

"Don’t talk to ot me into this mess!"

His eyes dropped to her waistline, frankly ironical

"You shocknot shocked at all

She felt the blood surge up in her face once more, hotter than before

"You know perfectly well that’s not what Iat her

"My apologies, Miss Fraser What did you mean, then?"