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George slowed his pace yet again as he turned a corner and the door to the dining rooo to London for a Season, did you?"

"You know I didn’t"

He wondered why Mary had done so, and she and Billie usually did everything together But it didn’t seem polite to ask, at least not now, just as supper was about to coe did not point out that he had not asked for an explanation

"I’d have been dreadful at it"

"You’d have been a breath of fresh air," he lied She would have been dreadful at it, and then he’d have been conscripted to be her social savior,sure her dance card was at least halfway filled, and then defending her honor every ti lord assumed she was lax of morals because she was a bit too loud and free

It would have been exhausting

"Excuseto ask a footman to find her an ottoman "Shall I hold you until he returns?"

"Hold me?" she echoed, as if she had suddenly lost her co?" his h the open doorway She, Lady Bridgerton, and Georgiana had already taken their seats The gentlee told the for under the table So that Billie e," Lady Bridgerton said "I should have thought of that"

"I’ve turned an ankle before," he said, carrying Billie into the rooh one would think I’d be an expert on theht be the only one of my children who hasn’t broken a bone or twisted a joint yet"

"It’s iana said in a flat voice

"I e and Billie with a deceptively placid se speared his ht want to see hi to try this

"Don’t tease so," Billie said, with exactly the right amount of affectionate ad "Who else would carry e?"

"Alas, my fractured liiana asked

He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling like the sea "Wrestled with a shark"

Billie snorted