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"And whose authority is that?" Dunford asked

"Why, yours of course" Henry leaned forward, her eyes glinting devilishly "And you should know"

E spasms

Dunford sat back in his seat, a reluctant s across his face "Well, Hen," he said, waving his arm at the duke and duchess, "we seem to have made short work of these two"

Henry tilted her head to the side "It wasn't very difficult, was it?"

"Not at all Presented no challenge whatsoever"

"E his breath, "I think our honor has just been ies" Em rooentlears and port"

"There you have it, minx," Dunford said as he rose to his feet "You'll finally be able to find out what goes on when the ladies retire after supper"

"Did he call you 'minx'?" Emma asked as she and Henry exited the room

"Er, yes, he calls ether "This is better than I thought"

"Henry! Wait just aquickly toward her "If I ht have a quick ith you," he said

"Yes, yes, of course"

He drew her aside and spoke in a lohisper that Emma, no matter how hard she pricked her ears, could not hear "I need to see you tonight"

Henry thrilled at the urgency in his voice "You do?"

He nodded "I need to speak with you privately"

"I'm not certain"

"I've never been ht"

"But Alex and Emma--"

"Always retire at eleven" He sht, but--"

"Good I'll see you then" He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead "Not a word of this to anyone"

Henry blinked and watched hi room