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"You did sound a little conceited," Billie finally said Her voice was quiet, meant for their ears only "But I think that’s understandable?"

Understandable? He leaned forward "Why are you saying that like it’s a question?"

"I don’t know"

He sat back and crossed his ar for her to continue

"Fine," she said, less than graciously "You’re the eldest, the heir You’re the brilliant, the handsoible Earl of Kennard"

George felt a slow smile spread across his face "You think I’ about!"

"Brilliant, too," Georgelike Andrew," Billie muttered

For some reason, this lare

George’s srin By God, it was fun to needle her

She leaned forward, and in that h clenched teeth "I was trying to be considerate," she ground out

"I’ether "You asked htful answer I thought you deserved as much"

Well, now he felt like an ass

"I’rained bit of polite ht the inside of her lower lip between her teeth She was thinking again, George realized How remarkable it was to see another person think Was everyone this expressive as they pondered their ideas?

"It’s how you were brought up," she finally said "You’re no e was patient She would find the right words

And after a few moments, she did "You’ve been raised --" But this time she stopped herself quite suddenly

"To be conceited?" he said softly

"To be confident," she corrected, but he had a feeling that his statement was a lot closer to what she had been about to say "It’s not your fault," she added

"Noho’s being patronizing?"

She gave him a wry smile "Me, I’m sure But it’s true You can’t help it any ain, which was apparently her all-purpose gesture for things that were too aard to say aloud

"What I am," she finally finished

"What you are" He said it softly He said it because he had to say it, even if he didn’t knohy