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This tih Quite heartily When he finally settled down, he said, "Your Dunford is quite a rake, and he is a rather nice chap A bit do at times, but nice nonetheless"

Henry's face turned to stone "First of all, he is not 'my' Dunford And more importantly, he isn't nice at all"

Ned ihter He didn't think he had ever met anyone who didn't like Dunford It was exactly why he was so successful at being a rake He was utterly charry, and then he was deadly

Ned gave Henry a sideways glance and wondered if she'd gotten Dunford really angry He'd wager she had

"Say, Henry, are you busy this afternoon?"

"I suppose I ought to be home to receive callers"

"Nonsense They'll want you more if they think you're not available"

She rolled her eyes "If I could find a nice ames"

"Maybe Maybe not We'll probably never know, as I don't think there exists a man as nice as you want"

Except Dunford, Henry thought sadly Before he'd turned so cruel She remembered him at the dress shop in Truro Don't be shy, ive that dress toon you? But he didn't have a sister He'd brought her to the dress shop just to make her feel better All he had wanted to do was help her build her self-confidence

She shook her head She would never understand him

"Henry?"

She blinked "What? Oh, I', I suppose"

"Would you like to go for an excursion? I thought we ht make a round of the shops, pick up a trinket or two"

Her eyes focused on his face He was grinning boyishly, his bright eyes expectant Ned liked her Ned wanted to be with her Why didn't Dunford? No, don't think of that man Just because one person rejected her didn't mean she holly unlovable Ned liked her She had sat here at breakfast just being herself and Ned had liked her just fine And Billington had liked her the night before And Belle certainly did--and so did her parents

"Henry?"

"Ned," she said decisively, "I would love to spend the day with you Shall we be off now?"

"Why not? Why don't you collect your maid and meet me in the foyer in fifteen ave her a jaunty salute