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And he wanted it He wanted to take her hand in his and dance her down the line, to step and dip, and feel her innate grace But more than that, he wanted her to feel it He wanted her to know that she was every bit as woant as the rest, that she was perfect in his eyes, not just ‘perfectly fine,’ and if he could only --

"George!"

He looked up

"Kindly pay attention," his ies," hehe’d been lost in his own thoughts, although generally speaking, with hiswas not to be tolerated

"I was saying," she said somewhat peevishly, "that you must dance with Billie twice"

"Consider it done"

Her eyes narrowed; she was clearly suspicious at the ease at which she was getting her way "You must also be sure to allow at least ninety minutes to elapse between dances"

He rolled his eyes and did not bother to hide it "As you wish"

Lady Manston stirred a bit of sugar into her tea "You must appear attentive"

"But not too attentive?"

"Don’t mock me," she warned

He set down his fork "Mother, I assure you that I aer for Billie’s happiness as you are"

This seemed to appease her soreement I wish to arrive at the ball at half past nine This will give us the opportunity to h that it won’t be so difficult to e nodded his agreement

"I think we should depart at nine – there will surely be a line of carriages outside of Wintour House and you kno long that takes – so if you could be ready by three-quarters past eight --"

"Oh, no, I’ of the ridiculousto Robert Tallywhite "I cannot accompany you I’ll need to make my oay to the ball"

"Don’t be absurd," she said dismissively "We need you to escort us"

"I wish I could," he said quite honestly He would have liked nothing better than for Billie to reat deal of thought to this evening’s schedule, and he had determined that it was imperative that he arrive on his own If he came with the ladies, he would have to practically abandon them at the door And heaven knew that would never happen without a full interrogation froet there earlier so that he could find Tallywhite and take care of the whole thing before they even arrived

"What can possibly beBillie and e his own cup of tea to his lips "It cannot be avoided"