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Two hours later, Philippa had finished her drink and was safely tucked into bed; Simon and Jeremy arrived at the town house within minutes of each other They conferred briefly in the entrance hall As Annabelle caht as she saw Si, and tousle his already disheveled hair The fatherly gesture seerin came to his face Annabelle froze as she watched the two of the that Jeremy had accepted Siainst Si to witness the bond that had for that Jereht until nohat a relief itto lean on, someone who could provide solutions to proble to handle by hiht from the entrance hall laleah planes of his cheekbones as he looked up at her

Battening a perplexing swell of emotions, Annabelle descended the rest of the way, and asked, "Did you find Hodgeha for the cloak draped over the banister, Simon draped it over her shoulders "Co on the way home"

Annabelle turned toward her brother "Jereht if we leave?"

"I have the situation well in hand," the boy replied with linted with amuseo," he e, Annabelle pelted Simon with questions until he placed his hand over heryourself to be quiet for a rinned, leaning forward to replace his fingers with hisa quick kiss, he settled back in his seat, his expression turning serious "I found Hodgeha attended by his fa I appeared when I did, as they had already su for his arrival"

"How did you convince the servants to let you past the front door?"

"I shoved eham immediately There was so much confusion that no one dared refuse me I had a footman showHodgeham’s wound" Dark humor infused his expression "Of course, I could have found the roo the bastard’s screams and howls"

"Good," Annabelle said in vehe isn’t nearly great enough, in my opinion What was his condition, and what did he say when you appeared in his rooust "It was a shoulder wound--a small one, at that Andhim rant for a few minutes, I told the doctor to wait in the next rooeham I told hiestive upset--a comment that confused him until I explained that it would be in his best interest to describe his malady to friends and family as a stomach ailment rather than a stab wound"

"And if he didn’t?" Annabelle asked with a faint smile

"If he didn’t, then I made it clear that I would carve hiahtest rumor that would tarnish your mother’s reputation, or that of the family, I would lay the blah of his remains left for a decent burial By the tieham, he was too terrified to breathe Believe ain As for the doctor, I compensated him for his visit and persuaded him to banish the episode from his mind I would have left then, but I had to wait for the constable"

"And what did you tell the constable?"

"I told him there had been a mistake, and he wasn’t needed after all And for his trouble, I told hio to the Brown Bear tavern after his shift and order as many rounds of ale as he wanted on my credit"

"Thank God" Relieved beyond ainst his shoulder "What about Jeremy? What e tell him?"

"It isn’t necessary for him to know the truth--it would only hurt and confuse hiehaot herself in the e of her jaith the tip of his thuestion, to which I would like you to lend sooing to be a thinly veiled command, Annabelle looked at him suspiciously "Oh?"

"I think it would be for the best if Philippa put soeham--until the dust settles"

"How o?"

"She can join my mother and sister on their tour of the Continent They’re leaving in just a few days--"

"That is the worst idea I’ve ever heard," Annabelle exclaiht here, where Jereuarantee that your mother and sister would be none too pleased--"

"We’ll send Jereh time before his next school term, and he’ll be an excellent escort for all three of the the trio of women across Europe "I wouldn’t wish such a fate on reat deal about women"

"And none of it pleasant," she retorted "Why do you think it is necessary to whisk ehaently angling her face upward "I told you, he’ll never dare to approach Philippa again However, if it turns out that there is any lingering trouble with Hodgeham, I’d prefer to handle it while she is away Moreover, Jereiven the circu should make her feel better"

As Annabelle considered the idea, she had to ad tione on any kind of holiday And if Jeremy ith her, perhaps even the company of the Hunts could be tolerated As for what Philippa would want…she seemed too nuree to any plans that Annabelle and Jere foraze swept her face in clever assessree?" He laughed softly as he read the answer in her expression "Very well…I’led back into the crook of his shoulder "Then if Jererees…so will I"

CHAPTER 25

Annabelle had not asked Simon how Bertha and Meredith Hunt had received the news of their additional traveling coer to hear the answer All that mattered was that Philippa would be far away froeham Annabelle hoped that when her mother returned, she would be refreshed and at ease, and ready to ht even hold so son places he had learned about at school