Page 36 (1/2)

"Because --"

"Of course I’m nervous"

That drew him up short She was nervous? Billie?

"What?" she de the incredulity on his face

He shook his head For Billie to ads she’d done with a rin on her face… It was inconceivable

"You jumped out of a tree," he finally said

"I fell out of a tree," she returned pertly, "and what has that to do with the Duchess of Westborough?"

"Nothing," he adine you nervous about…" He felt his head shaking, slow, tiny movements, and a reluctant admiration rose within him She was fearless She had always been fearless "About anything," he finished

Her lips pressed together "Have you ever danced with me?"

He gaped at her "What?"

"Have you ever danced withtoward impatience

"Yes?" The as drawn out, a question

"No," she said, "you haven’t"

"That can’t be possible," he said Of course he’d danced with her He’d known her all of her life

She crossed her arms

"You can’t dance?" he asked

She shot him a look of pure irritation "Of course I can dance"

He was going to kill her

"I’h, I suppose That’s not the point"

George was fairly certain they had reached the point where there was no point

"The point is," Billie went on, "you have never danced with o to dances"

"Perhaps you should"