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"Aaaargh!"

Honoria flinched, thrown back by his cry Every now and then herthat hurt hiainst the strips of cloth they’d used to tie him down It ful to see, and even worse to feel It was as if his pain shot through her

Except it didn’t hurt It just made her feel sick Sick to her stomach Sick with herself It was her fault he’d stepped in that stupid fake mole hole, her fault that he’d twisted his ankle It was her fault they’d had to cut off his boot, and her fault he was so sick because of it

And if he died, it would be her fault, too

She sed, trying to quell the choking lu in her throat, and she leaned a little closer to say, "I’in to tell you how sorry I am"

Marcus went quite still, and for a breathless ht he had heard her But then she realized it was only because her mother had paused in her work It was her mother who had heard her words, not Marcus But if her mother was curious, she did not pursue it She did not ask for the ave a little nod and went back to work

"I a that when you are better you should co her voice back into a facsi else, you will need a new pair of boots Maybe so of a looser fit It’s not the style, I know, but perhaps you can set a new trend"

He flinched

"Or we could remain in the country Skip the season I know I told you I was desperate to lance at her mother, then leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "My e another year in her coe"

"You’re twenty-one," herup

Honoria froze "How much of what I said did you hear?"

"Just the last bit"

Honoria had no idea if herthe truth But they seereement not to ask questions, so Honoria decided to respond by saying, "I meant that if I don’t marry until next year, when I am twenty-two, I shall not mind"

"It will mean another year with the family quartet," her mother said with a smile And not a devious s smile

Honoria wondered, not for the first tiht be just a little bit deaf

"I’lad to have you for another year," Lady Winstead continued "When you leave, Harriet will have to take your place, and she’s really still a bit young I don’t think she’s even sixteen yet"