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Billie looked over at George, and when his eyes met hers, he felt like he’d found his entire world He bowed and held out his ar for this moment for what felt like years

But of course that hen Arbuthnot finally arrived "Kennard," he said, his genial greeting exactly what one ht expect from a s you to town?"

"A dance with Miss Bridgerton," Freddie drawled, "but he doesn’t seem quite able to lead her to the floor"

Arbuthnot chuckled "Oh, I’e couldn’t decide which of them he wanted to kill first

"Perhaps I should dance with you," Billie said to Freddie

Forget the gentle? This was forward, even for her Ladies did not ask gentlemen to dance, especially when their acquaintance was of five minutes’ duration

"A lady who speaks herI see why Lord Kennard speaks so highly of you"

"He speaks of me?"

"Not to hie bit off

"Well, he should," Freddie said with a flirtatious waggle of his brows "You would certainly be atopic than our last conversation, which I believe was about oate was fairly certain this was not true, but there see childish

"Ah, but I find oats fascinating," Billie said, and George alhed, because he was the only one who knew that she wasn’t joking Her father’s recent successes at harvest was a testaular feroaning noises that always preceded the actualfor him to repeat his bow and lead her into the dance

But before he could do so, he heard Lord Arbuthnot clear his throat George knehat he had to do

"I give her over to you, Coventry," he said with a bit of a bow "Since you are so eager for her company"

He tried not to e it, and when his gaze passed over her face, he saw that she was shocked And angry

And hurt

"Her next shall be yours," Freddie said with good cheer, and George’s heart twisted just a bit as he watched him lead her off to dance

"I aerton," Lord Arbuthnot said after a moment, "but I am sure there was more purpose to your time in town than a dance"