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Mary’s goere also a bit too large in the chest But beggars could never be choosers, and so Billie tucked two extra fichus into the bodice and decided instead to be grateful that Mary’s wardrobe had contained a relatively sireen that Billie liked to think flattered her co a few final pins into Billie’s hair when a knock sounded on the door to Mary’s old rooe," she said with surprise when she saw his strong forht blue coat that she suspected would coht of day Gold buttons twinkled in the candlelight, adding to his already regala s room"

"Oh" Billie wasn’t sure why she was surprised Andrew couldn’t very well do it, and her father, as surely already downstairs, wasn’t as strong as he used to be

"If you prefer," George said, "we could summon a footman"

"No, no, of course not," Billie replied A foote And he had already carried her once

He ca his hands behind his back when he reached her side "How is your ankle?"

"Still quite painful," she admitted, "but I bound it with so"

His lips curved, and his eyes took on an azure sparkle of amusement "Ribbon?"

To herskirt and stuck out her foot, revealing an ankle bound in a length of festive pink ribbon

"Very stylish," George co up a bedsheet when this would do just as well"

"Ever practical"

"I like to think so," Billie said, her jaunty voice giving way to a slight frohen it occurred to her that thisan invisible speck of dust off her arm, "they’re your sheets, at any rate You should thank me"

"I’m sure I do"

Her eyes narrowed

"Yes," he said, "I’ you But only a little"

Billie felt her chin rise an inch or so "So long as it’s only a little"

"I wouldn’t dare otherwise," he replied He leaned in, just a bit "At least not in your presence"

Billie stole a glance at the e

"In all seriousness, though, Billie," George said, proving that a sympathetic heart did beat soh to dine?"