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They continued on in the vein of polite conversation for alht how unsettling it would be to find that this unsettling youngto unsettle her!

Then, changeable and sudden, Lord Mersey pushed his dripping hair out of his face and lowered his voice "How are you really, Ria? Your letters are so impersonal"

Sophronia was relieved, honest interest at last! So relieved, in fact, she was a tad unguarded in her response "As are yours! I searched between the lines for so"

"I’ave nation

Sophronia bit her lip, both delighted and terrified that she still had his affection "We have not yet learned horite letters with purpose"

The boy calmed and his voice becas with purpose?" Felix often re bored with life, and then the pounce, a flash of claw, and the thrill of a hunt

Sophronia felt on safer ground now that he was flirting "Lady Linette has been teaching us seduction techniques" She lowered her eyes and then looked off across the grayhim with her profile, which was rather a nice one, or so Mademoiselle Geraldine told her

That statement successfully shocked Felix He sed a few tih as it had been a year ago, "Really?"

"Oh, yes indeed Would you like me to show you? I could use the practice on a real ht be nice"

Sophronia de over the nonexistent view, then said, "We are to start with longing looks"

"Oh, are we?"

With which Sophronia turned toward hi to convey alluring desire She thought of the tiether, how Felix’s hand had felt at the small of her back, the sweetness of his breath on her neck She allowed a small smile to play over her lips

Felix seemed physically paralyzed by her eyes His own pale-blue ones lost focus Sophronia noted the re foibles Evil geniuses in training were encouraged to develop eccentricities

Sophronia let her eyelashes flutter, not too much, only a little

Felix’s breath hitched

Now, that was an interesting reaction

Sophronia tilted back her head, showing neck This was a gesture of innocence and vulnerability It also let the rain trickle right down her décolletage and under her stays, but shenone of it to show on her face

Lady Linette would have been proud

Felix Mersey ell and truly hooked He leaned in toward her, shifting closer on the bench as though drawn by a net

His voice was so low as to be al down, looking as if he ht actually kiss her--in the back of an open cart! With Diht there! Not to htened of her oer and of what ht happen next, Sophronia broke the look She lowered her lashes co up her wrist in recohly, and pressed his lips into the pal up to the slove and hurlie strap Sophronia never went anywhere without her hurlie

She let him continue to kiss her for a short while, fascinated It see with an excess of physicallyemotion It was all quite wonderful

The experiment was spoiled by a scuffle at the front Everyone’s attention was drawn to where Roger’s friend seehted himself, and Sophronia wondered if the lads had been at the drink, or if he’d si back to her escort, Sophronia exchanged a sharp look with Dimity