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For the next tenthat so very hard to concentrate on the play, but it was clear that herproblem She was distant, unreachable, as if she had been encased in ice Trying to comfort her, he took her hand once love The iciness of her skin was startling

Frowning deeply, Leo leaned toward Poppy "What the devil happened to Marks?" he whispered

"I don’t know," she returned helplessly "Harry and I were talking to Lord and Lady Despencer, and Catherine was off to the side Then we both sat, and I noticed that she looked ill"

"I’ her back to the hotel," Leo said

Harry, who had caught the last of the exchange, frowned and o"

"There’s no need for any of us to leave," Catherine protested

Ignoring her, Leo stared at Harry "It would be better if you stayed and watched the rest of the play And if anyone asks about Marks, say so about the vapours"

"Don’t tell anyone I had vapours," Catherine whispered sharply

"Then say I had them," Leo told Harry

That seemed to rouse Catherine from her numbness Leo was relieved to see a flicker of her usual spirit as she said, "Men can’t have vapours It’s a female condition"

"Nevertheless, I do," Leo said "I may even swoon" He helped her fro down at his sister with concern "Is this what you want, Cat?" he asked

"Yes," she said, looking annoyed "If I don’t, he’ll be asking for s salts"

Leo escorted Catherine outside and sue It was a theeled, partially open vehicle, with an elevated driver’s seat at the rear One could speak to the driver through a trapdoor at the top

As Catherine approached the vehicle with Leo, she had a crawling sensation of being watched Afraid that Latilanced to her left, where a man stood beside one of the theater’s massive portico coluer man He was tall, rawboned, and dressed in shabby dark clothing and a tattered hat, with the overall effect of a scarecrow He had the distinctive London pallor common to those who spent most of their time indoors, whose skin was never touched by sun without the filter of polluted city air His broere strong black stripes across his gaunt face, his skin creased with lines that he was too young to have

He was staring at her fixedly

Catherine paused uncertainly, aware of a vague sense of recognition Had she seen hiht haveto hand her into the carriage

But Catherine resisted, caught by the riveted stare of the stranger’s raven-dark eyes

Leo followed the direction of her gaze "Who is that?"

The young y black hair "Miss Catherine?" he said aardly

"William," she breathed in wonder

"Yes, s of a smile He took another hesitant step, and bobbed in a sort of clumsy bow

Leo intruded between them protectively and looked down at Catherine "Who is he?"

"I think he’s the boy I once told you about … orked at randmother’s house"

"The errand boy?"

Catherine nodded "He was the reason I was able to send for Harry … he took my letter to him My lord, do let me speak to him"

Leo’s face was implacable "You would be the first one to tell me that a lady never stands and converses with a man on the street"

"Now you want to pay heed to etiquette?" she asked in annoyance "I’ the refusal in his face, she softened her voice, and surreptitiously touched his hand "Please"

Leo relented "Two ht beside her, his eyes ice-blue as he stared at Willia cowed, William obeyed Catherine’s motion to come to them "You turned into a lady, Miss Catherine," he said in his thick South London accent "But I kneas you--that face, and those saht"

"You’ve changedto su for randmother?"

He shook his head and so, irls at the ’ouse said it couldn’t be, she didn’t ’ave one"

"Oh," Catherine whispered, her face turning bleached and stiff It was only to be expected, of course Her grandht she should feel relieved by the news, but instead she only felt chilled "And … lance around them "She’s the madam now," he said, his voice low "I work for her, odd jobs, sarandmother But it’s a different place now, miss Much worse"

Compassion stirred inside her How unfair it was for hi or education to afford him any other choice Privately she resolved to ask Harry if there ht be so that would lead hi, ot a bawdy-’ouse disease soot in ’er joints and went up to ’er brain Not well in the ’ead, your aunt And she can’t see none too good, neither"

"I’ to feel pity, but instead a mass of fear rose in her throat She tried to s it back, to ask h," he said "The hackney’s waiting"

Catherine gave her childhood friend a troubled glance "Is there so I can do to help you, Williaretted the question as she saw the shame and offended pride on his face Had there been more time, had the circumstances allowed, she would have found a better way to ask

Willia, e Hotel If you wish to seeI can--"

"I wouldn’t nivver trouble you, Miss Cathy You was always kind to ht me medicine once when I was sick, ’member? Came to the kitchen pallet where I slept, and covered me wiv one of the blankets from your bed You sat on the floor and watched overa coin to Williaht it in midair His fist lowered, and he looked at Leo with ahard When he spoke, his accent was exaggerated "Fank you, guvnah"

Leo guided Catherine aith an uncoe By the tiain, Williaer seat was so small that the ed like rose petals, spilled over one of Leo’s thighs

Staring at her profile, Leo thought she looked stern and nettled, like the Marks of old