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She felt a faint flush rise in her cheeks

"It’s how I knehat I wanted" He wrapped her feet in the towel, tying it off "It’s how I knehat it looked like to have a loving family and a little sister who sent her brother her first scribbles before she could write I remember the first letter you sent hi to be e"

"You dictated it to your father," the duke continued "And you said: ‘Dear Oliver, please co …"

Frederica felt herself blush "How ," he said, as if she hadn’t spoken, "that I would give everything that I had for a little sister"

The heat died away fro at the top of his head in surprise and puzzlement

"For anyone," he continued, "who rejoiced when I came home for any reason at all I would have sent you a reed to be hed "Alas, after the way my father treated your o over well So I never made it"

She searched his face for signs that he was joking Perhaps poking fun at her a little He looked serious

"But you have a family now Everyone respects you"

He raised a dubious eyebrow

"Well, they may call you names," she amended, "but they’re mostly respectful na, it’s a love match You have children who must adore you And…" She trailed off and looked at hi you were my little sister Love is not a finite quantity" He smiled at her "And yes, I know you’re not lad you came to me Whatever it is you need…" He spread his hands "It’s yours Even if it’s just a towel and a roo"

She hadn’t known quite what she’d been hoping for She’d i a few desultory answers She certainly hadn’t expected…this

She sed hard and looked away

"I was hoping you’d have dinner withwith some friends; she’ll be back in a few hours London is dreadful in the summer, and the children are with Minnie’s aunts for the next teeks I’ a mite lonely"

"Your Grace--"

"I wish you’d callof you as Free, and as much as Oliver has talked of you, I don’t think that’s possible"

"But--"