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―You did it!" Annabel exclai to her feet ―Six!"

―That wasn‘t me," Louisa said

They both turned

―Ladies," Sebastian said, bowing elegantly He looked i sunshine Annabel had never realized just how much red he had in his hair She had never seen hiht, and in the afternoon At the opera she had seen hi light was different

―Mr Grey," shesuddenly, unaccountably, shy

―That was marvelous!" Louisa exclaimed ―What‘s your record?"

―Seven"

―Really?"

Annabel was not sure she‘d ever seen her cousin so ani about those Gorely books Which Annabel still needed to read She‘d started Miss Sainsbury and the Mysterious Colonel the night before but had only got through two chapters

Still, one could not help but be ied to overcoes She‘d survived cholera, an infestation of mice, and turned her ankle twice

Annabel‘s problems didn‘t seem half so dreadful by comparison

―Do you skip stones, Miss Winslow?" Sebastian asked politely

―Much toshame, no"

―I can do six," Louisa said

―But not today," Annabel said, unable to resist the poke

Louisa held up an irritated finger and sto for another suitable stone Sebastian walked over and stood near Annabel, his hands clasped lightly behind his back

―Does she know?" he asked quietly,with his head toward Louisa

Annabel shook her head

―Does anyone?"

―No"

―I see"

She wasn‘t sure what he thought he saw, because she certainly didn‘t

―Rather sudden invitation to the country, wouldn‘t you say?" he randmother was behind it"

―And she invited me?"

―No, actually I believe she said she could not prevent your being invited"

He laughed at that ―I am so loved"

Annabel‘s heart skipped a beat

―What is it?" he asked, taking in her suddenly startled expression

―I don‘t know I--"