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"No!" he burst out, his voice oddly raw He rushed forward and clasped her hands "I mean yes I mean you look e--"

"Don't change a thing," he said sternly

She stared up at hi her heart was in her eyes but quite unable to do a thing about it Finally Belle broke in, saying in an amused voice, "Henry, I really must introduce you to reen-eyed netically handsoht rather objectively, but she hadn't even noticed him when she'd walked into the room She hadn't been able to see anyone except Dunford

"Miss Henrietta Barrett," Belle said, "may I present the Duke of Ashbourne?"

Alex took her hand and dropped a light kiss on her knuckles "I'hted to lance at Dunford, who had clearly just realized he'd hted as our friend Dunford, perhaps, but delighted nonetheless"

Henry's eyes danced, and a wide srace--"

"Everybody does," Dunford finished for her

She shrugged helplessly "It's true Except for Lady Worth"

"Henry," Alex said, testing the sound of it out "It suits you, I think Certainly more than does Henrietta"

"I don't think Henrietta suits anyone," she replied Then she offered him her cheeky s like a rock for this girl She had spirit, and although she didn't realize it yet, she had beauty, and Dunford didn't have a chance

"I expect not," Alex said "My wife is expecting our first child in two months I shall have to make certain we don't name her Henrietta"

"Oh, yes," Henry said suddenly, as if she'd just re important "You're married to Belle's cousin She must be lovely"

Alex's eyes softened "Yes, she is I hope you get a chance to meet her She would like you very much"

"Not half as ood sense to lance over at Dunford "Oh, but please forget I said that, your grace Dunford has insisted I not speak to married men" As if to illustrate her point, she took a step back

Alex burst out laughing

"Ashbourne is perroan

"I hope I'm not off liuered guardian

"John is fine as well," he said, his voice growing slightly irritable