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Ja to knoas in that book

She cleared her throat about six times and said, "You're very kind to help me"

"It was no trouble, I assure you," he et a look at the book But she'd already shoved it back into her reticule

Elizabeth s, just to reassure herself that the book was really there, hidden safely out of sight If she was caught reading such a thing, she'd be iven that all un for a husband, but only thea , just looked her over in an assessing sort of way that made her even more nervous Finally she blurted out, "Are you the new estate er?"

"Yes"

"I see" She cleared her throat "Well, then 1 suppose I ought to introduce myself, as I'm sure our paths will cross I am Miss Hotchkiss, Lady Danbury's companion"

"Ah I am Mr Siddons, recently of London"

"It was very niceyou, Mr Siddons," she said with a s "Terribly sorry about the accident, but Inod, then dashed off down the drive, clutching her bag as if her very life depended on it

Jaely unable to take his eyes off of her retreating foratha Danbury didn't often squeal, but James was her favorite nephew Truth be told, she probably liked him better than any of her own children He, at least, was sh not to stick his head between iron fence beams "How lovely to see you!"

James dutifully bent down and offered his cheek for a kiss "How lovely to see me?" he queried "You almost sound surprised by nore your suent himself"

"Oh, that"

He narrowed his eyes at her disames with ht in her chair "You would think that of me?"

"In a heartbeat," he said with an easy smile as he sat down "I learned all my best tricks fro," she replied "Poor child If I hadn't--"

"Agatha," James said sharply He had no wish to involve himself in a discussion of his childhood He owed his aunt everything--his very soul, even But he didn't want to get into this now

"As it happens," she said with a disdainful sniff, "I a blackatha was a crafty old thing, but proper as anything, and he couldn't iht warrant blackmail

"Can you even fathom it?" she demanded "That someone would dare to blackmail me? Hmmph Where is my cat?"

"Where is your cat?" he echoed