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"Lady Danbury toldto uncover her blackmailer, I should like to assist you"

"No"

"But--"

"I said no"

She glared at hi further, she said, "Why not?''

"Because itit"

"I' her hands at her side "You are such a hypocrite! Everything you said yesterday about respecting e feet me to trust you so you could--so you could--"

"Respect has nothing to do with this, Elizabeth" He planted his hands on his hips, and she actually took a step back at the strange expression in his eyes It was alht there in the space of five seconds--one who'd done dangerous things, known dangerous people

"I'," she said "You can stay here for all I care"

He caught her by the sash of her dress "I don't think we've concluded this conversation"

"I', frustrated breath, "Respect doesn't er"

"I find it difficult to believe that Lady Danbury's ne blackmailed for state secrets or the like"

"How can you be sure of that?"

She gaped at him "She is?"

"No, of course not," he snapped "But you hardly know that, do you?"

"Of course I do! I've worked for her for over five years Do you really think Lady Danbury could be carrying on in a suspicious racious, just look how I reacted when she started napping"

He glared at her, his dark eyes brooking no arguation, and that is final"