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"Stay," he said, holding a hand forward, pal to burn the iave hi the wall, away frouess," he said "Blisters on both feet"

She ignored hi a new theatrical You’re playing the sheep"

Never had he beenof a comeback, but sadly, never had Olivia been in less of a position to deliver one

"Had I known," he added, "I’d have brought a riding crop"

She was al "Winston?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up"

He laughed

"I’ to her feet She’d skirted half the length of the room There was no way Sir Harry would be able to see her here

"With your hooves?"

"Oh, stop it," she said disgustedly And then she realized that he was a into the room "Get away from the !"

Winston froze, then twisted around to face her His broere arched in question

"Step back," Olivia said "That’s it Slowly, slowly…"

He feigned a motion forward

Her heart lurched "Winston!"

"Really, Olivia," he said, turning around and planting his hands on his hips "What are you doing?"

She sed There would be no avoiding telling hi about the room like an idiot He would expect an explanation Heaven knew she would, had their positions been reversed

But she ht not have to tell him the truth Surely there was soht Be Crawling About on the Floor AND Need to Avoid the Window

No She had nothing

"It’s our neighbor," Olivia said, resorting to the truth, since, given her position, she had no other choice

Winston’s head turned toward theSlowly, and with as much sarcasm as a lateral move of the head could convey

Which, Olivia had to admit, was quite a bit when perforhbor," he repeated "Do we have one?"

"Sir Harry Valentine He leased the house while you were in Gloucestershire"

Winston nodded slowly "And his presence in Mayfair has you crawling on the floor…because…"

"I atching him"

"Sir Harry"

"Yes"

"From your knees"