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"And you got yourself through the wicket," Georgiana added "That puts you in second place"

"It does, doesn’t it?" Mr Berbrooke said, looking inordinately pleased with this developreat flair, "look how you’re blocking everyone else Well done, you"

Lady Alexandra let out a loud huff "Whose turn is it?"

"Mine, I believe," George said smoothly

Billie smiled to herself She loved the way he said sobut a politea casual comment, but Billie knew hihter ever would

She heard his se, even if he was too well-bred to show it

She heard his salute Billie had won this round; he was congratulating her

And she heard his gentle scolding, a warning of sorts He was cautioning her not to carry this too far

Which she probably would He knew her every bit as well as she knew hie," Andrew said

Billie watched as George stepped forward and set up his play He squinted as he aie Rokesby, adorable? It was just the

She let out a little chuckle, just as George hit his ball It was a good shot, landing hiiana said, blinking at the field "Noe’ll never get through"

She was right The black and blue balls wereboth sides of the wicket Anyone who attee stepped back toward Billie, clearing the way for the next few players He leaned toward her, hisatGeorgiana trying to figure out her shot

"Why?"

Her lips parted before she realized she couldn’t possibly give hiain he was closer than she’d expected, closer than he ought to have dared

She was suddenly aware

Of his breath, warnetically fastened upon her own

Of his lips, fine, full, and carrying a hint of a smile

Of him Simply of him

She whispered his name

He cocked his head to the side in question, and she realized she had no idea why she’d beckoned, just that there was so here with hiht she was remarkable, she felt remarkable

She felt beautiful

She knew it couldn’t be true, because he’d never thought of her that way And she didn’t want hi?" he

"Billie?"

She wanted to kiss hie of three-and-twenty without wanting to even so e Rokesby?