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"We don't deal ith one another Not anymore, at least"

"Yes," he said dryly, "but no one else needs to know that, do they?" He pulled her into his ar what on earth had proain It was a ed contact with her these days was a

And this longing wasinexorably from his body to his soul

But the feel of her was too h to her to detect thatscent of lemons, and he inhaled it as if it would save his life

He was conized that now He wanted her on his arible fop, dandy, and Corinthian in London He wanted toher hand He wanted to lean down--right now--and kiss her until she was senseless with desire

But she no longer desired only hi her to the ton, for now she'd had a taste of social success and was savoring the triu to realize that she could have her pick of husbands And, Dunford thought grimly, he had all but promised her she could have that pick He had to let her have the fun of being courted by dozens of beaux beforeany serious attempt for her hand himself

He closed his eyes, al--at least nothing he really wanted And he really wanted Henry

She atching the eto hold her was a dreadful chore Her pride stung, she sue and said, "I knohat this is about, you know"

His eyes snapped open "What what is about?"

"This The way you're treating me"

The music drew to a close, and Dunford escorted her to an empty alcove where they could continue the conversation in relative privacy "How a the answer

"Horribly Worse than horribly And I knohy"

He chuckled, unable to help hi herself for the slight staer"

"What wager?"

"You knohich wager The one with Belle"