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He pulled out a chair for her "Is she? I daresay you'll be a s success, then"

She shot hi"

"Ah, yes You must be the reason for the bouquets in the front hall"

She shrugged "I'm surprised your mother didn't inforreat deal"

His eyes narrowed as his heart sank "You've become friendly with Belle?" He saw all his hopes for a flirtation with this girl going up in smoke

"Oh, yes She is quite the best friend I have ever had" She spooned sos on her plate and scrunched her nose "I do hope these are not too cold"

"They'll warm them," he replied with a wave of his hand

Henry took a hesitant bite "They're just fine"

"What precisely has Belle told you about me?"

"That you're quite nice, of course,very hard to acquire a rake's reputation"

Ned choked on his toast

"Are you all right? Would you like soasped "She told you that?"

"I thought it was exactly the sort of thing a sister ht say about her brother"

"Indeed"

"I hope I have not dashed any of your plans to make a conquest of hly of ine everyone wants toabout it simply for reasons of convenience"

"Convenience?" he echoed blankly

"Seeing as how I'ht under your roof"

"I say, Miss Barrett--"

"Henry," she interjected "Please call me Henry Everybody does"

"Henry," he muttered "Of course you would be called Henry"

"It suits me better than Henrietta, don't you think?"

"I rather think I do," he said with great feeling

She took another bite of egg "Yourme Henrietta, but that is only because your father's na?"

He blinked "I was?"

"Yes, you were I believe you said, 'I say, Miss Barrett,' and then I interrupted you and told you to callto recover his train of thought "Oh, yes I believe I was about to ask you if anyone had ever told you that you are quite frank"

She laughed "Oh, everyone"

"Somehow that does not surprisees to subtlety, but I've never been able to discern the him into the conversation There was no one she wanted to talk about--or even think about--less

"You know Dunford?"