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"Oh, I don't know," she pretended to ponder "Stories of when you were sel"

She raised her brows dubiously "You ullible"

"No, just too polite to contradict me"

Miranda rolled her eyes and turned back to the crowd Olivia was holding court across the rooentlemen

"Livvy's a natural at this, isn't she?" she said

Turner nodded his assent "Where are all of your admirers, Miss Cheever? I find it difficult to believe you haven't any"

She blushed at his compliment "One or two, I suppose I tend to blend into the hen Olivia is near"

He shot her a disbelieving look "Let me see your dance card"

Reluctantly, she handed it over to hiave it a quick exaht," he said "It is very nearly filled"

"Most of the next to Olivia"

"Don't be silly And it's nothing to get upset about"

"Oh, but I'm not," she replied, surprised that he should think so "Why? Do I look upset?"

He drew back and surveyed her "No No, you don't How odd"

"Odd?"

"I have never known a lady who did not wish for a gaggle of eligible youngher at a ball"

Miranda bristled at the condescension in his voice and was not quite able to keep the insolence out of hers , as she said, "Well, now you do"

But he just chuckled "And how, dear girl, are you going to find a husband with that attitude? Oh, don't look at - "

Which only rind harder

"- you yourself told ht, drat the man Which left her with no option other than to say, "Don't call rinned "Why, Miss Cheever, do I detect a bit of temper in you?"