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He thought about Honoria’s eyes again They really were a bit h they did have that purplish touch to them that made them so uncommon It was true – no one had eyes quite like hers Even Daniel’s weren’t precisely the same His were darker Not by much, but Marcus could tell the difference

Honoria wouldn’t agree, though When she was a child she had frequently gone on about how she and Daniel had the sa for a bond between the that connected thes That was all she’d ever wanted No wonder she was so eager to be married and out of her silent, ehter

She needed not to be lonely She needed never to be lonely

Was she even in the rooain to open his eyes No luck

He rolled onto his side, happy to be free of those das He’d always been a side-sleeper

Someone touched his shoulder, then pulled up his blankets to cover hi sound to show his appreciation, and he guessed he must have been successful because he heard Honoria say, "Are you awake?"

He ain It seemed to be the only one he could make work

"Well, maybe a little bit awake," she said "That’s better than nothing, I suppose"

He yawned

"We’re still waiting for the doctor," she said "I’d hoped he would be here by now" She was quiet for a fewlooks quite improved Or at least that’s what my mother says I’ll be honest – it still looks dreadful to "

This et his eyes to open

"She went to her room My mother, I mean She said she needed respite from the heat" Another pause, and then: "It is quite hot in here We opened the , but only a very little bit Mrs Wetherby was afraid you would catch a chill I know, it’s hard to iet a chill when it’s this hot, but she assures me that it’s possible

"I like to sleep in a cold rooine you care"

He did care Well, not soto her voice

"And Mama is always hot lately It drives ain, and I swear there is no rhyme or reason to it But she does seem to be hot ift, I recommend a fan She is always in need of one"

She touched his shoulder again, then his brow, lightly brushing his hair fro in a way that was utterly unfamiliar to him It was a bit like when she’d co fussed over Ih It sounded like a happy one to his ears He hoped she thought so, too

"You’ve been sleeping for quite some time," Honoria said "But I think your fever is down Not all the way, but you seeh did you know you talk in your sleep?"

Really?