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The silence stretched, and she could hear hi h the walls,notes

Surreal, Jane thought That’s what you call this

"Miss Erstwhile, let me impress upon you my uthter, smoothed her hands over her skirt "I understand couess I just can’t I can’t do it anyood for ood forin her toneher hand "Are you? Are you okay?" he asked intones than she had ever heard froe startled her Despite his austere looks, he had an openness about his expression that she could only account for in his eyes Dark eyes, focused on her, pleading with her But it was all just a game

"I don’t know you," she said softly

He blinked twice He looked down "Perhaps I spoke too soon Forgive me We can speak of this later" He rose to leave

"Mr Nobley," she said, and he stopped "Thank you for thinking kindly of me I can’t accept your proposal, and I won’t ever be able to I’m flattered by your attentions, and I have no doubt that many a fine lady will melt under such proclamations in the future"

"But not you" He sounded beautifully sad

What an actor, she thought

"No, I guess not I’ for your tor it to me so that I could see that it’s not what I want"

"What do you want?" His voice nearly groith the question

"Excuse h he still sounded angry "What do you want?"

"So to do with a certain gardener?"

"Don’t argue with me about this It’s none of your business"

He scowled but said, "I truly wish you every happiness, Miss Erstwhile, whom I will never call Jane"

"Let’s toss the pretense out the , shall we? Go ahead and call me Jane" He seemed saddened by that invitation, and she reency man to call a woed or anythingNever mind I’m sorry, I feel like a fool"

"I am the fool," he said

"Then here’s to fools" Jane smiled sadly "I should return"