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He looked at her At Billie Bridgerton, the bane of his existence since her birth twenty-three years earlier She was glaring at him as if he’d coh with color, her lips pursed like a furious rose

With great and icy enunciation he said, "One round and thisanalysis of the motion by which my foot connected with the ladder was I meant to offer this information?"

The corners of herthat indicated sarcasht her eerton, and she didn’t do embarrassment She just did as she pleased and daenerally dragging half the Rokesby clan doith her

And soave her She had that way about her – it wasn’t charm exactly – it was that crazy, reckless confidence that made people flock to her side Her fae – they all adored her Her sh was infectious, and God in heaven but hoas it possible he was the only person in England who seeer she was to humanity?

That twisted ankle of hers? It wasn’t the first She’d broken her arht, and she had taken a tu she’d had no business riding, e on The bone had healed perfectly – of course it did, Billie had always had the devil’s own luck – and within ht to scold her Not when she rode astride In breeches On that sae And when one of his younger brothers followed her lead and knocked his shoulder out of joint…

Everyone had laughed His parents – and hers – had shaken their heads and laughed, and not a one of theht it prudent to take Billie off the horse, shove her into a dress, or better yet, pack her off to one of those girls’ schools that taught needlework and deport from its socket Its socket!! And the sound it had e shuddered It had been the sort of sound one felt rather than heard

"Are you cold?" Billie asked

He shook his head Although she probably was His coat was considerably thicker than hers "Are you?"

"No"

He looked at her closely She was just the sort to try to tough it out and refuse to allow hiht "You would tell e "I proh for him Billie didn’t lie, and she didn’t break proe with you?" she asked, squinting off at the horizon

George gave a nod "We had business with the blacksmith He stopped in to speak to the vicar afterward I didn’t feel like waiting"

"Of course not," she murmured