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The countess would be about one-quarter of the way through breakfast right nohich meant that Elizabeth would have at least twentyroom

Two hteen to calm herself down

Elizabeth had her hand in her satchel and was clutching the book as she rounded the corner The library door was ajar Perfect The less noise she made, the less likely it would be that anyone would stumble upon her Not that there was much activity in this part of the house before Lady D finished her breakfast, but still, one couldn't be too careful

She slid sideways through the door's opening, her gaze firmly fixed on the shelf where she'd found the book earlier that week All she had to do was cross the room, put the book back, and leave No detours, no unnecessary stops

She pulled the book out, her eyes focused on the shelf Two , Elizabeth"

She screahtly in surprise "My deepest apologies for startling you"

"What are you doing here?" she de," he said in a concerned voice "I really did startle you, didn't I?"

"No," she said, her voice overly loud "It's just that I wasn't expecting anyone The library is usually vacant this tied "I like to read Lady Danbury told me I may make free use of her collection I say, what's that in your hand?''

Elizabeth followed his eyes to her hand and gasped Good God, she was still holding the book "It's nothing," she blurted out, trying to shove it back into her satchel "Nothing" But her nerves round

"It's that book you were trying to hide frolea to the floor to cover it "It's just a silly novel I borrowed, and--"

"Is it any good?" he drawled "I ht like to read it"

"You'd hate it," she said quickly "It's a romance"

"I like romance"

"Of course everybody likes romance," she blathered, "but do you really want to read about it? I think not It's very melodramatic You'd be bored silly"

"You think?'' hesort of half-smile

She nodded frantically "When all is said and done, it's really a book for women"

"That's rather discri to save you sohtful of you"

She shifted so that she was sitting squarely on the book "It's good to be thoughtful"

He s I like best about you, Elizabeth"