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"How very gallant of you, George," hishiave her a dry serton at hed "Enjoy it while you can, son She doesn’t like to lose, that one"

"Does anyone?" Billie retorted

"Of course not," her father replied "It’s racefully one concedes"

"I’e scooped her into his arms "Are you sure you want to finish that sentence?" he erton was rarely graceful in defeat

Billie claether

"Two points for honesty," he said

"What would it take to earn three?" she shot back

He laughed

"And anyway," Billie said to her father, funda"

"You lost the cat," Georgiana said

"And your dignity," Andrew added

"Now that earns three points," George said

"I sprainedher daughter a little pat on the arm "You’ll feel better soon You said so"

Four points, George started to say, but Billie fixed hiround out

"But youBillie?" Andrew asked, catching up as they entered the hall "Because if we are, I’ll have you know I’in without ood hand on his heart in feigned affront "Hurt Hurt, I say"

"Do we think we could not mock me?" Billie asked in an exasperated voice "Just for one evening?"

"I suppose," Andrew said, "but George isn’t nearly so ht a glance at Billie’s face She was tired And in pain What Andrew had taken as custoht his lips close to her ear, lowering his voice to a quiet murmur "Are you certain you’re up to supper?"

"Of course!" she replied, visibly chagrined that he’d asked "I’htened Then tre Andrew to a a rest, Billie"

She looked up at hiry," she said

He nodded "I can ask that a sht elevate your leg"