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"Not," Caroline had said, "that I disapprove of your moniker It is simply thatfor irl of your tender years"

Henry had only smiled and told her that that was just fine It had been so long since she had had a ure that she would have been inclined to let Caroline call her Esmerelda if she so desired

Henry hadn't wanted to enjoy her ti it exceedingly difficult for her to keep her spirits low They conquered her fears with kindness, slayed her uncertainties with jokes and good hue Park, but she had to allow that Dunford's friends had brought a certain measure of happiness into her life that she hadn't even realized was otten what it rand plans for her new charge, and within the first week Henry had visited the modiste, the love shop, and, of course, the modiste More than once, Caroline had shaken her head and declared that she had never seen a young lady who needed quite soat one tiony, they were at the dressmaker's shop for the seventh ti, but noas exhausting

"Most of us," Caroline said with a pat on the hand, "try to do this a bit at a time With you, however, that wasn't an option"

Henry shtly in response as Madame Lambert jabbed another pin in her side

"Oh, Henry," Belle laughed "Do try not to look quite so pained"

Henry shook her head "I think she drew blood that tination, but Caroline, the much-esteemed Countess of Worth, hid her smile behind her hand When Henry went into the back roohter and whispered, "I think I like this girl"

"I know I do," Belle replied firmly "And I think Dunford does too"

"You don't mean to say he is interested in her?"

Belle nodded "I don't know if he knows it yet If he does, he certainly does not want to adh tion it"

"You don't!"

"I do I wagered hio that he would be married within a year"

"Well, we'll certainly have to oddess" Caroline's blue eyes sparkled with hter to lose such a large su breakfast with the earl and countess when Belle stopped by with her husband, Lord Blackwood John was a handsome man arm brown eyes and thick, dark hair He also, Henry noticed with surprise, limped

"So this is the lady who has had raciously, leaning over and kissing her hand

Henry blushed, unused to the courtly gesture "I promise you may have her back soon I'm alh "Oh, and what have you learned?"

"Very iht of stairs, Idown, he ly straight face, "that that is a useful thing to know"