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He motioned with his head "Over there"

She turned theht direction, then said, "Actually, I think the ht be, how far is it to Fensht herself, bringing her volu almost normal "I’m sorry, did you say three miles?"

"Approximately"

Was he insane? "Marcus, there is no way I can prop you up for three o to the Royles’"

"Oh no," he said, deadly serious "I a up on their doorstep in this condition"

Privately, Honoria agreed with him An injured, unmarried earl, completely dependent on her ift from heaven He’d probably find himself ushered to a sickroom before he could protest With Cecily Royle as his nurse

"You won’t have to help me the whole way, anyway," he said "It will improve as I walk on it"

She looked at him "That makes no sense"

"Just help me home, will you?" He sounded exhausted Maybe exasperated Probably both

"I’ll try," she agreed, but only because she kneould not work She gave it five minutes at most before he admitted defeat

They hobbled a few yards, then Marcus said, "A mole hole would have been much smaller"

"I know But I needed to be able to fit my foot in it"

He took another step, then half-hopped the next one "What did you think was going to happen?"

She let out a sigh She’d long since passed the point of e she had any re pride "I don’t know," she said wearily "I suppose I thoughtto come and saveyou"

He glanced over at her "And Prince Charone ive him a name

"Honoria," he prodded

"It’s none of your business"

He actually chuckled "What do you think I will do with the information?"

"I just don’t want – "

"You crippled me, Honoria"

It was a lo, but an effective one

"Oh, very well," she said, giving up the fight "If you erton"