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Her arry sticks at her sides "You told me he was a rake," she accused

"He is A pleasant rake"

So here Elizabeth was certain of it James seemed a bit too unconcerned that she'd met Dunford She wasn't sure what sort of reaction she'd been expecting, but co, she asked, "You're not acquainted with the Marquis of Riverdale, are you?"

He started choking

"Jaasped

She gave him a pat on the back, then crossed her ars to spare him any more sympathies "I think this Riverdale fellow is a relation of Lady Danbury's"

"You don't say"

She tapped her finger against her cheek "I'm sure she's mentioned him I want to say he's her cousin, but s"

James forced one corner of his

"I could ask her about hie the subject, and fast

"After all," Elizabeth continued, "she'll want to knohy Dunford left so suddenly"

Jaatha was the one who'd hunted hiet Dunford--that unscrupulous rake, she'd called hiht now"

Without even a second's pause, he starting coughing again The only other way to keep her frorab her and ravish her on the floor, and he had a feeling she wouldn't consider that appropriate behavior

Well, perhaps that wasn't the only other way, but it was certainly the one that held theher sapphire eyes "Are you certain you're all right?"

He nodded, wrenching out a few hs

"You really don't sound well" She laid a warentle hand on his cheek

Ja close, far too close, and he could feel his body growing tight

She moved her hand to his forehead "You look rather queer," she h you don't feel warasp

"I could ring for tea"

He shook his head quickly "Not necessary I'hed "I'll be fine" He smiled weakly "See?"

"Are you sure?" She drew her hand back and studied him With each blink, that cloudy, unfocused look disappeared from her eyes, to be replaced with a brisk air of utter competence