Page 58 (1/2)

Sarah-Jane was either exceedingly foolish or she just didn't notice the furious gleam in his eyes "Both, I suppose She is rather forward, don't you think?"

"No," he bit off, "I don't"

"Oh" The corners of her lips turned up ever-so-slightly "Well, I'm sure everyone will realize that soon" She offered him a pouty sard Henry oncetoo forward? She did have a rather vibrant laugh He'd always taken it as a sign of a happy and delightful person, but a different sort of ht see it as an invitation He moved over to Alex's side, where he could keep a better eye on her

Henry,a splendid time Everyone seemed to think she was terribly attractive and witty, and to a woman who had spent most of her life without friends, this was a heady co her particular attention, and she could tell froiven to paying court to young debutantes Henry found hian to think that if there were ht be able to find someone hom she could be happy Perhaps even the earl He seeh his hair was reddish brown, his warht, that should not be a point in the earl's favor

Then again, she decided in the spirit of fairness, it shouldn't necessarily be a point against him either

"And do you ride, Miss Barrett?" the earl was saying

"Of course," Henry replied "I grew up on a farm, after all"

Belle coughed

"Really? I had no idea"

"In Cornwall" Henry decided to spare Belle the agony "But you do not want to hear about my farm There must be thousands just like it Do you ride?" She asked that last question with a teasing look in her eye; it was a given that all gentleton chuckled "May I have the pleasure of escorting you for a ride in Hyde Park sometime soon?"

"Oh, but I couldn't do that"

"I'm crushed, Miss Barrett"

"I don't even know your na up her face "I couldn't possibly make an appointment to ride with a , you know, beingthe entire tihed loudly He gave her a smart bow "Charles Wycoo for a ride with you, Lord Billington"

"Do youton?'"