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George closed his eyes Wrong thing to say, Andrew

"You can’t," Lady Manston said, struggling to her feet "You can’t"

Her voice began to break again, and George silently cursed Andrew for his lack of tact He stepped forward "Mother…"

"He can’t," she choked out, her tortured eyes coe’s face "You e pulled hisAndrew’s eyes over her head beforethat"

"I think you should lie down"

"We should go home," Lord Manston said

They all turned It was the first he had spoken since the terrible e had been delivered

"We need to be at ho into action "Of course," she said, going quickly to his side "You will be e "The last thing you need is this house party"

George nearly groaned He’d forgot all about the other guests The thought of having to actually converse with any of the There would be questions, and condolences, neverabout Edward

God, it was all so insignificant This The party Everything but the people in this roo him, concern evident in every line of her face "Has anyone told Mary?" she asked

"I will do so now," Felix said "We will join you at Crake, if that suits I’m sure she ish to be with her fao back to Sussex immediately"

"What e do?" Lady Manston said in a lost voice

George looked to his father It was his right to decide

But the earl looked lost He’d said they should go hoe turned back to the rest of the room and took a breath "We will take a moment," he said firmly "We will pause to collect ourselves and decide how best to proceed"

Andrew opened his h With a hard stare, he added, "Time is of the essence, but we are too far removed from the military theater for one day to ht," Billie said

Several pairs of eyes turned to her in surprise, George’s included

"None of us is in a state to e "Go home Be with your family I will call tomorrow to see how I erton asked