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11:59

A light rap sounded on the door Henry flew across the room and opened it "You're early," she whispered frantically

"I am?" Dunford reached into his pocket for his watch

"Will you co him in "Anyone could see you out there"

Dunford dropped his watch back into his pocket, s!" she added rather fiercely

"Why?"

"Because it--it does things toin an atteht that state, she was addled in the brain

"What did you need to talk with me about?" she whispered

He moved to her side in two easy paces "In a minute," he murmured "First I have to"

He let his lips co kiss He hadn't ht away, but she'd looked so da around her face She htly, settling into his large fraet anything done if we continue on like" His words trailed off as he caught the dazed expression on Henry's face Her lips looked unbearably pink, even in the candlelight, and they were slightly parted and daain, his lips searching hers in another re hi, and he dimly realized that her arms had wound themselves around his neck A tiny spark of reason, however, soain he disentangled hi intended solely for hi h hiht of her "Why don't you just sit over there?" he said hoarsely, waving his hand in no particular direction

Henry had no idea that the kiss had left him as shaken as it had her, and she took his direction literally Her eyes followed his arm's motion, and she said, "On the bed?"

"No! I mean--" He cleared his throat "Please do not sit on the bed"

"All right," she said slowly, ht-backed, blue-and-white-striped chair

Dunford walked over to theand looked out, trying to give his body time to cool down Now that he was actually here, in Henry's roo the wisest course of action In fact, he was convinced he was not He had originally planned to take Henry out for a picnic the next day and propose to her then But that night at dinner, it had suddenly hit his went beyond affection and desire He loved her

No, he didn't just love her He needed her He needed her like he needed food and water, like the flowers at Stannage Park needed the sun He se Park He re at breakfast back in Cornwall, she'd been gazing out the ith an expression of pure rapture He iined that must be how his face looked every ti there in Westonbirt's infor off his fork, it suddenly had becoht These feelings were so powerful they were painful to keep inside Making a secret assignation had seemed the only option