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Billie ht have been a snort He wasn’t sure But it was certainly in her nature to find a patience with his entlemen better than I do," Lady Manston continued "Are there any we should avoid?"

All of thee wanted to say

"And are there any we should particularly look out for? That Billie may plan to set her cap for?"

"That I may – what?"

Billie ht She dropped three slices of bacon on the floor

"Set your cap, darling," Lady Manston said "It’s an expression Surely you’ve heard it"

"Of course I’ve heard it," Billie said, hurrying over to take her place at the table "I don’t, however, see how it applies to me I did not come to London to look for a husband"

"Youfor a husband, Billie," Lady Manston said, then turned right back to George "What about Ashbourne’s son? Not the oldest, of course He’s already htful as you are," – this, she said over her shoulder to the still-aghast Billie – "I don’t think you could snag the heir to a dukedom"

"I’m fairly certain I don’t want to," Billie said

"Very practical of you, my dear It’s quite a lot of poe re," his mother said "And you didn’t answer my question What about Ashbourne’s son?"

"No"

"No?" his mother echoed "No, as in you don’t have an opinion?"

"No, as in no He is not for Billie"

Who, George could not help but note, atching the e with an odd mix of curiosity and alaraentleambled He had no idea if the one in question did so to excess

"What about the Billington heir? I think he --"

"Also no"

His arded hie said, hoping it was true

"He is?" She frowned "I suppose he ht be I can’t remember precisely"

"I don’t suppose I have any say in the matter," Billie put in

"Of course you do," Lady Manston said, patting her hand "Just not yet"