Page 17 (1/2)

Devon stood as she entered the rooestured for her to take the chair beside the desk "Since it involves Lord St Vincent, I thought I should tell you before the others"

Her heartbeats stu herself to the chair, Pandora balled her hands in her lap "What is it? Has he withdrawn his offer?"

"Just the opposite" Devon sat and faced her "St Vincent has extended an invitation for all of us to visit his family’s estate in Sussex We’ll stay for a week It will allow both fa up instantly, her nerves claarded her with a perplexed frown "It’s an opportunity to become more familiar with them"

That was exactly what Pandora feared The Duke and Duchess of Kingston, and their brood of superior offspring, would be sure to look down their elegant noses at her Only the thinnest veneer of politeness would cover their contempt Every question they asked her would be a test, and every mistake she made would be noted and stored away for future reference

Pandora paced around the peri the air and sending dustconstellations Each time she passed the heavy pedestal desk, stacks of papers fluttered their edges in protest "By the tiutted, drawn, and dressed like a trout ready for sautéing"

"Why would they uest?" Devon asked

"They could be trying to inti Lord St Vincent’s proposal, so he won’t have to withdraw it and look ungentlemanly"

"They only want to become acquainted," Devon said in an extra-patient manner thatless"

Pandora stopped in her tracks, her heart thrashing in her chest like a wild caged bird "Does Kathleen know about this?"

"Not yet But she’ll agree that the visit is necessary The fact is, none of us can go anywhere in London without being badgered with questions about you and St Vincent Kathleen and I agreed last night that the family would have to leave town until this situation is resolved"

"I’ll go back to Eversby Priory, then Not Sussex You’ll have to throw e, and even then--"

"Pandora Come here No, don’t be stubborn, I want to talk to you" Devon pointed firmly to the chair "Now"