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But he would have enjoyed hihtful company She possessed a freshness and an honesty he hadn't seen in years Dunford had been blessed onderful friends, but after so long in London, he had begun to think that no one's soul was free of at least a little cynicism Henry, on the other hand, was marvelously open and direct Not once had he seen the familiar mask of world-weary boredom cloud her features Henry see and everyone to allow herself to be bored

This was not to say she was a wide-eyed innocent willing to believe the best of everyone She had a wicked wit and was not above eer she found exceedingly foolish Dunford was inclined to forgive her this weakness; he usually agreed with her assessment of foolish people

And if every now and then he found hi how her brown hair turned gold in the sun or why she always suely of le time since he'd been with a woht, visiting herin her own unconventional way

Not that what he felt for her was anything re desire But she was a woman, and he was a man, and so naturally he'd be aware of her And of course he had kissed her once, even if that had been an accident It was to be expected that he'd remember that kiss every now and then when she was near

Such thoughts, however, were far fro roo a week after his arrival It was nearly ti meal, and Henry would arrive any ht As unconventional as Henry was, she still dressed for dinner, and that arive her credit, she seereater credit, however, she rown to know her so well during the past few days, he never would have dreaht of fashion, at least passably attractive

But he had noticed how carefully she avoided looking in theroom where they met before dinner And when she found herself trapped by her reflection, she couldn't hide the pained grimace that flickered across her features

He wanted to help her, he realized He wanted to buy her gowns and teach her to dance and--It was stunning, this How ain?" Her teasing voice brought him out of his reverie

"It's my liquor if you recall,that aboain He couldn't decide if it was the worst or best of the lot

"So it is" She shrugged "Might I have a little then?"

Wordlessly, he poured her a glass of sherry

Henry sipped at it thoughtfully It had becolass of ith him before dinner, but no ht she was the night he arrived She had a sinking suspicion she would end up h dinner if she allowed herself more than this one small sherry

"Was your afternoon pleasant?" Dunford asked suddenly He had spent the previous few hours by hiladly left him alone with the musty papers; she'd already examined them, and he certainly didn't need her to help him read

"Yes, it was quite I checked in on some of the tenants Mrs Dalrylad she enjoyed it"

"Oh, yes I cannot think e have not thought to do it before Of course, ays send a congratulatory gift, but food for a week is much better, I think"