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"Really," she said "Earlier today I could have sworn you said soo I think you said so about onions"

Onions? Not carrots?

"What are you thinking about, I wonder? Food? Monkfish with onions? It wouldn’t be what I would hile sick, but to each his own" She stroked his hair again, and then, to his cohtly kissed his cheek "You’re not so terrible, you know," she said with a smile

He couldn’t see the smile, but he kneas there

"You like to pretend that you are terribly standoffish and brooding, but you’re not Although you do scowl quite a bit"

Did he? He didn’t mean to Not at her

"You al to not like you in London But it was just that I’d forgotten you Who you used to be, I mean Who you probably still are"

He had no idea what she was talking about

"You don’t like to let people see who you really are"

She was quiet again, and he thought he heard herher position in her chair And when she spoke, he heard her sain "I think you’re shy"

Well, for God’s sake, he could have told her that He hatedconversation with people he did not know He always had

"It’s strange to think that of you," she continued "One never thinks of a ine why not

"You’re tall," she said in a thoughtful voice, "and athletic, and intelligent, and all those things men are supposed to be"

He did notice she didn’t call him handsome

"Not to mention ridiculously wealthy, oh, and of course, there’s that title, too If you were of a et married, I’m quite certain you could choose anyone you wish"

Did she think he was ugly?

She poked his shoulder with her finger "You can’t iine how ht now, they wouldn’t

"But you’re shy," she said, ally He could feel that she’d htly on his cheek "I think I like that you’re shy"