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Wolfe! I turned around again to stare at the footone, the door closed behind hiut twisted and my jaw clenched

"He’s rather delicious isn’t he?" Winter laughed, a throaty laugh hts taken over by Wolfe Then I realised she meant Arnaud and I replied with a half-smile, "Very"

Winter drew to her feet quickly, her white dress as stunning as a ball gown, the neckline cut low, the waist cinched so everyone could see how tiny it was I s why on earth I was letting the obvious differences between us bother me I had never cared before

"Coently and led enuine concern on her face as she eyed the bruise that was now fading on h such an ordeal The Viko ust "I had heard of this so-called rookery in Vasteryan Borders but to actually face the reality of it You’re very brave, Lady Rogan You are to be co it so well"

I smiled in spite of myself "Thank you, your Grace" Wolfe hadn’t told Winter about the gypsies He’d only told her a half truth, a truth she was already aware of Good We were sticking to the plan Not panicking anyone with the growing unrest in Phaedra

"Tea?" Winter asked

I nodded, feeling tongue-tied I really didn’t knohat to say to this vivacious creature Haydyn was always so good at talking to the Rada I winced Then again, Haydyn was as beautiful as Winter; perhaps more so

"Arabelle" Winter waved a dainty hand to the raceful float She had her servants as well trained as debutantes

Once tea was sorted, Arabelle was dismissed and Winter relaxed ht, Lady Rogan; I gathered you ht need the rest"

"I did" I actually sht of the luxurious bed upstairs "Thank you, your Grace, for your hospitality It feels like sun after a very long bout of rain"

Pleased with my poetic thanks, Winter hurried on to pepper an to feel guilty for judging her so harshly She didn’t seem like a shallow socialite at all In fact, if I remember correctly, Haydyn had told me she liked the Vojvodkyna She said Winter was smart and opinionated and cared not who knew it; the kind of wo Haydyn’s plans to hold a ball next season in the hopes of addressing some Phaedrian issues, a knock sounded at the door and Wolfe caht of hinored

"Vikoht with happiness at the sight of Wolfe His returning smile ide and brilliant and he bowed over her hand slowly, pressing an intimate kiss to the corner of her wrist I felt a painful twist in ether, as they turned to ht Winter was a little older than Wolfe, but with his e difference seemed inconsequential

"My Lady" Wolfe nodded atat hie Instead, I nodded back as if I were unaffected by the difference in tes to the Vojvodkyna and I

"Oh, my Lord, it is lovely to have you to tea," Winter said to hi him to the settee to sit closely by her

I did not think it was deliberate, but now Wolfe was in the roo else existed for Winter, and she huddled into hi him of her recent deal with a factory owner in Raphizya that she sould bring more income and work for the people of Caera Wolfe listened aptly, his eyes never leaving her, drinking in the vivid, intelligent woer they sat talking, the rew I felt as if a s on my ribs I was jealous Hatefully, painfully jealous, and there was nothing I could do about it If only there was some way I could not be attracted to him I mulled over this for a moment There was Haydyn Once Raj adth perhaps she could evoke feelings of disdain forit No Haydyn needed all her strength for the peace evocation Well that was that then I just had to avoid Wolfe at all costs

"Well" I stood slowly, shtly, falsely down at them "Thank you for tea, your Grace, but I promised Lieutenant Chaeron I would meet with him"

"Oh, of course" Winter smiled happily at ed to an, wait," Wolfe called out in clipped, de it would prove to him how annoyed I was by his attitude witheyebrow at hi?" He demanded

"I just told you," I snapped

Winter raised an eyebrow at er and Wolfe narrowed his eyes at ether on the settee I realised I was angry Just two nights before, Wolfe had been kissing gh! I had been correct to walk away Correct! I had been nothing but an a but another Jarek

"I don’t remember any such plans," Wolfe snapped back

"I want Lieutenant Chaeron to trainwhat happened You yourself said it wasn’t a bad idea"

He frowned "It’s not But I’ll train you"

The thought of hi his arhtened of hihtened of myself