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"I yes No No I mean yes Yes, I would"

He turned his back to her as he fussed with the decanter so she wouldn't see hi," she said weakly, sitting down "Anything would be fine"

Dunford poured her a glass of sherry "Here you are"

She took the glass fro sure her hand never touched his She took a sip, let the wine fortify her, and asked, "How long do you plan to stay?"

His lips twisted "That anxious to be rid of h I rather thought you wouldn't want to re with me I'm perfectly happy to have you stay" And then she added, just for pride, "You won't interrupt h fellow I'd aled at the bitterness laced in his words "I wouldn't want to go to London and interrupt your routine," she shot back "Heaven forbid I pull you away from your social life"

He stared at her blankly "I have no idea what you're talking about"

"That’s because you're too polite to discuss it," shehe would discuss his mistress "Or maybe you think I'm too polite"

He stood "I've traveled all day, and I' to solve your little riddles If you'll excusein to supper Join h about society to know he'd just been unforgivably rude to her And she knew enough about him to know he'd done it on purpose She sta forry!"

Then she ran up the stairs to her roos of her stoht ahead as he ate, ignoring the servants as theyacross fro if they should clear it away

He finished histhe rest It was a da there across froard of the servants, all of whom loved her to distraction

With a shove of his chair, he rose and retired to his study, where he poured hih to get stinking drunk, just enough to h to pass the time until he could be sure Henry had fallen asleep

He htly as he walked What was he going to do with his wife? God, what a mess He loved her but he didn't want to love her He wanted to hate her but he couldn't--despite her lack of love for him, she was still as nice a woman as they came, and no one could find fault with her love and devotion for the land He wanted her and he despised hiht?

Besides the fact that she didn't love him That much was clear

I wish I couldI wish I could love you

Well, you couldn't fault the girl for lack of trying

He turned the doorknob and stumbled into the rooht his breath Had she waited for hiht perversely, it justthere, asleep, her chest gentlywith the rhythht shone through the open s She looked perfect--everything he had ever wanted He sank down into a cushioned chair, his eyes never leaving her sleeping form