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"Not at all," the butler replied, the barest hint of a sh his somber mien "I speak of the ladies If I may be so bold as to offer my observation, they seeerton especially"

"I’e said with a half-smile

"Just so, my lord Lady Manston is never as happy as when she has a young lady toan inordinate aloves "That would seeerton does not plan to remain in town for the Season"

Tereatthat every iteate the London e erton will e said evenly

"She is a very lively young lady," Tehtly as he took his leave It was difficult to iine how Temperley had come to the conclusion that Billie was lively The few tie had crossed her path at Manston House she had been uncharacteristically subdued

He supposed he should have made more of an effort, taken her out for an ice or so down inforood to do so

He took a step toward the stairs, then paused and turned back Teht erton and Edward," George said casually

"She has not seen fit to confide in ave his head a little shake How the ossip froht, Temperley"

He made it to the stairs, his foot perched on the first step, when the butler called out, "They do speak of hie turned around

Temperley cleared his throat "I do not think it a breach of confidence to tell you that they speak of hie said "Not at all"

There was a long beat of silence

"We are keeping Master Edward in our prayers," Temperley finally said "We all e that hethan he ever had when he’d merely been an ocean away?

He walked slowly up the stairs Manston House was ht bedchambers clustered on one floor Billie had been put in the second-best guest bedrooht was ludicrous, but his uest bedrooht unexpectedly visit, she always said