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No, he did not wish to ods," he said to her "I do appreciate your invitation"

Margaret scowled, clearly displeased with his behavior "Will you permit me to ask you one question?"

He nodded

"How do you know?"

He waited for her to elucidate, and when she did not, he said, "How do I knohat?"

"How do you know that she tells you the truth?"

He did not even have to think about it "Because I know her"

And he did He may have only known her face for a few days, but he had known her heart for far longer He did not doubt her He could never doubt her

"My God," Margaret breathed "You love her"

Edward said nothing He could not contradict her

"Very well," she said with a sigh "Can you make it up the stairs?"

He stared at her What on earth was she talking about?

"You still need a dress, don’t you? I don’t know the first thing about ill suit the new Mrs Rokesby, and I’d rather not order theroom"

"Ah, yes, of course And yes, I can rateful for the bannister

Chapter 11

Poor Lieu Captain Rokesby! I hope the crossing was not as dreadful as you feared At least your recent promotion will be of some comfort How proud I am that you were both e I attended the local asseo, and per usual there were two ladies for every gentleman I danced but twice And the second time ith the vicar, so I do not think that counts

Your poor sister shall be a spinster!

Ha, but do not worry I am perfectly content Or at the very least, i? I think it should be

--from Cecilia Harcourt to her brother Thoovernor’s ball, Edward laid a large box upon the bed that he shared--but did not truly share--with his wife

"Did you buy soave hie of the mattress "What is it?"

"Am I not allowed to bestow a present upon my wife?"

Cecilia looked down at the box, wrapped rather festively with a wide red ribbon, and then back up at hiift," she said

"All the ed the box a couple of inches closer "Open it"

Her sli the knot loose before lifting the lid of the box

She gasped

He grinned It was a good gasp

"Do you like it?" he asked, even though it was plain that she did

Lips still parted with shock, she reached out to touch the whisper-soft silk that lay nestled in the dressmaker’s box It was the color of a shallow sea, just a hair too blue to match her eyes But when Edward had seen it in May Tryon’s wardrobe, he had known it was the right gown to take to the seamstress for alterations

He wasn’t sure if May Tryon yet knew that she’d own; she’d not been home when her mother had thrown open her wardrobe doors Edward enerosity before she had a chance to discover it by accident And besides, if he knew the Tryons, May would be wearing so new, spectacular, and wildly expensive She would not begrudge Cecilia her remade dress