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And yet he was still sle reason"

She should have been nervous

"Perhaps not," she said icily, "but nor is there a reason to do it"

"Your reputation is not a reason?" he asked softly

Her eyes er"

"Is it not?"

She sucked in her breath "You wouldn't"

He shrugged, a tiny movement of his shoulder that sent a shiver down her spine "I am not ordinarily described as ruthless, but do not underestimate me, Miranda I shall marry you"

"Why do you even want to?" she cried He didn't have to do it No one was forcing him Miranda had practically offered him an escape route on a silver platter

"I aressions"

"I aression?" she whispered Because the air had been knocked fros A whisper was all she could do

He stood across fro as uncomfortable as she had ever seen him "I should not have seduced you I should have known better And I should not have abandoned you for soFor that I have no excuse, save s But I will not allow my honor to be tossed aside And you will marry me"

"Do you want me, or do you want your honor?" Miranda whispered

He looked at her as if she had missed an i"

28 August 1819

I uests Miranda's grandparents, the vicar's wife, and- at Miranda's insistence- MacDownes

At Turner's insistence, they departed for his ho the ceremony, which, also at his insistence, had been held at a shockingly early hour so that they ood start back to Rosedale, the Restoration-era manse that the new couple would call hoood-byes, he helped her up into the carriage, his hands lingering at her waist before he gave her a boost An odd, unfahtly bee to Leticia had been about s, but never peace Turner had entered into the union on a giddy rush of desire and excite sense of loss And when that was through, all that had been left was anger