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The un a promenade, but Mr Nobley paused to hold Jane’s arm and whisper, "Jane Erstwhile, if I never had to speak with another hu but you, I would die a happy man I would that these people, the music, the food and foolishness all disappeared and left us alone I would never tire of looking at you or listening to you" He took a breath "There That compliment was on purpose I swear I will never idly coain"

Jane’s mouth was dry All she could think to say was, "But but surely you wouldn’t banish all the food"

He considered, then nodded once "Right We will keep the food We will have a picnic"

And he spun her into the middle of the dance While the ain All his attention was on her, leading her through theher with adh they were evenly matched, no indication that she was the lone rider of the Precedence Caboose She had never before felt so keenly that Mr Nobley and Miss Erstwhile were a couple

But I’ht Jane

Her heart was pinching her She needed to get away, she was dizzy, she was hot, his eyes were arresting, he was too much to take in

What a Everything’s headed for Worse Than Before How do I get out of this alive?

She spun and saw Martin, and kept her eyes on hih he were the lone landmark in a co His eyes were dark when he saw Martin His recent smile turned down, his look became more intense

As soon as the second nuan to depart, anxious for a breath of cold November air

"A moment, Miss Erstwhile," Mr Nobley said "I have already taken your hand for the last half hour, but noould beg your ear Might we…"

"Mr Nobley!" A wo around her face flurried his way Had Mr Nobley beenvisits to other estates while he was supposed to be hunting? Or was this a repeat client who ht’ve known the man fro every dance"

"Just now is not…"

Jane took advantage of the interruption to slip away, searching above the tops of heads for Martin He’d been just over therea hand grabbed her arht into Mr Nobley, their faces close, and she was startled by the wildness in him now, a touch of Heathcliff in his eyes "Miss Erstwhile, I beg you"

"Oh, Mr Nobley!" said another lady behind hiripped Jane’s arhter He walked her out of the ballroo her arrace to look euess you would"