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SheFor when she paused at the top of the stairs to pinch some colour into her cheeks, the voices on deck had fallen silent

She pushed open the hatch and climbed out, to find Percy with a trereaser about repairs

Quesnel was striding down the gangplank Quesnel striding ht, but it was hardly fair of hiood enough for hi left before! It would not do to holler at hinity of her position So Rue clattered down the gangplank after hihtly laced stays would allow, instantly regretting having worn theround

Quesnel whirled to face her, hand up as if to strike, and she wondered if he thought her Percy Had the animosity between thehtful bother, nobody denied that, but to strike another gentlee because he knew criminals were after his new kit in the boiler room?

Quesnel’s violet eyes widened; then the lines on his face smoothed and he sain so soon, Mr Lefoux? Is this to become a custom?"

"Most certainly not How could I even conte such loveliness!"

"And yet you had no difficulty back in India"

"Duty and friendship called h, I h on iest flirts in London He was also an inventor Which confused people no end Generally the acaderappling with the mundane intellect of the masses Not Quesnel Quesnel had a well-earned reputation with the ladies and a certain casual breeziness of manner he was only permitted because he was French and a coreeable man Rue knew Lord Akeldaineer easily Having been raised by such collective expert charmers, Rue would have been very wary of Quesnel if he were thehad an honest bent to it Quesnel flirted because he genuinely appreciated woive hie the subject Where have you been?" She lowered her voice "I was promised ravishment Do I look ravished to you?"

Quesnel positively baulked Rue was being too blunt

Pleased, she let him stew in embarrassed silence

He opened his , but currently he did slightly rese?" Rue prodded

"What are you doing here?" blurted Quesnel

"Mr Lefoux, this is actually h that fact seems to have escaped your notice"

Quesnel collected hi with your parents while you were in town Putting our arrangement, as it were, teht now?"