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Harry carefully transferred the pet to Beatrix’s hands " ‘The fox hasonly one’ " He sood one"

"Archilochus," Beatrix said proe?"

"Not usually But I make an exception for Archilochus He kne toiahed

And in that h Harry Rutledge had his flaws, he ad and understand jokes about ancient Greek poets was aa risk on

She wouldn’t be able to marry for love, but she could at least ht you allow us a few rub about in the next row"

"Thank you, dear" Poppy turned back to Harry, as dusting his hands "May I ask one more question?"

He looked at her alertly and spread his hands as if to show he had nothing to hide

"Would you say that you’re a good man, Harry?"

He had to think about that "No," he finally said "In the fairy tale you ht, I would probably be the villain But it’s possible the villain would treat you far better than the prince would have"

Poppy wondered rong with her, that she should be ahtened by his confession "Harry You’re not supposed to court a girl by telling her you’re the villain"

He gave her an innocent glance that didn’t deceive her in the least "I’ certain that whatever anyone says about you, you’ve already admitted it Now you’ve made all criticism of you ineffectual"

Harry blinked as if she’d surprised him "You think I’m that manipulative?"

She nodded

Harry seeh hi annoyed, however, he stared at her with stark longing "Poppy, I have to have you"

Reaching her in two steps, he took her into his arms Her heart thumped with sudden force, and she let her head fall back naturally as she waited for the war happened, however, she opened her eyes and glanced at hi to kiss ainst her forehead before he continued "Here are your choices, as I see theo to Hampshire in a cloud of social scorn, and content yourself with the knowledge that at least you didn’t get trapped into a loveless e Or you could , and live like a queen" He paused "And don’t forget the country house and carriage"

Poppy could not contain a sain"

"I’ll throw in the castle and tiara," Harry said ruthlessly "Gowns, furs, a yacht--"

"Hush," Poppy whispered, and touched his lips gently with her fingers, not knowing how else to make him stop She took a deep breath, hardly able to believe what she was about to say "I’ll settle for a betrothal ring A small, simple one"

Harry stared at her as if he were afraid to trust his own ears "Will you?"

"Yes," Poppy said, her voice a bit suffocated "Yes, I will marry you"

Chapter Twelve

This was the phrase of Poppy’s wedding day: "It’s not too late to change your mind"

She had heard it from every member of her family, or so That was, she’d heard it from everyone except Beatrix, who thankfully didn’t share the Hathaways’ general animosity toward Harry

In fact, Poppy had asked Beatrix why she hadn’t objected to the betrothal

"I think it ," Beatrix said

"You do? Why?"

"A rabbit and a cat can live together peaceably But first the rabbit has to assert itself--charge the cat a time or two--and then they become friends"

"Thank you," Poppy said dryly "I’ll have to reh I daresay Harry will be surprised when I knock hi and the reception afterould be as large and heavily attended as humanly possible, as if Harry intended for half of London to witness the cere day aers

She had hoped that she and Harry ht become better acquainted in the three weeks of their betrothal, but she had scarcely seen him except for the two occasions when he had come to take her on a drive And Miss Marks, who had accolowered so fiercely that it had e, her sister Win and brother-in-law Merripen had arrived To Poppy’s relief, Win had elected to ree She and Poppy sat together in a richly appointed hotel suite, talking over the th And just as in the days of their childhood, Win assued lamp slid over Win’s blond hair in a brilliant varnish "If you like his to esteem in him, then I’m sure I will, too"

"I wish Amelia felt that way And Miss Marks, too, for that matter They’re both sowell, opinionatedthat I can hardly discuss anything with either of them"

Win smiled "Re time And it’s not easy for her to relinquish her role as our protector But she will Remember when Leo and I left for France, how difficult it was for her to see us off? How afraid she was for us?"

"I think she was more afraid for France"

"Well, France survived the Hathaways," Win said, se’s wife on the morrow Onlyif I may say my piece?"

"Certainly Everyone else has"

"The London season is like one of those Drury LaneAnd no one ever seee isn’t the end of the story, it’s the beginning And it demands the efforts of both partners to iven assurances that he will be the kind of husband that your happiness requires?"

"Well" Poppy paused uncoh that’s not quite the sa, is it?"

"No," Win said, her voice soft "Be careful, dear, that you don’t end up as the queen of a lonely kingdo to hide it In her gentle way, Win had offered s of the other Hathaways co at the floor, at the tiny printed flowers of her dress, anywhere other than into her sister’s perceptive gaze She twisted her betrothal ring around her finger Although the current fashion was for diale rose-cut diamond, shaped at the top with facets thatsiven it to her

"It’s simple," he had countered

"But not small"