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He swore

"Maybe I should go," she said hastily

"That would probably be a wise idea" His tone was not gentle, but it was the best he could ht have to finish himself with his hand, and he was quite certain this would not suit her tender sensibilities

He couldn’t believe he still cared about her tender sensibilities

She dressed quickly and shot out of the rooency of his situation had di to see to himself

Honestly, it would have felt pathetic

He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, leaning his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands His entire life, he’d knohat to do He wasn’t perfect, not by anyhad always been clearly defined

He put his country before family

His family before self

And where had that got hihost

No, not married He needed to remember that He was not married to Cecilia Harcourt What had just happened

She was right about one thing It couldn’t happen again At least not until they wed for real

He would marry her He had to, or so he told himself He didn’t particularly wish to examine the corner of his heart that wanted to marry her It was the salad to be married to her

That little corner of his heartIt was gullible, far too trusting He didn’t have particular faith in its judg him to wait, take his time

Let her squirm for a few days

A frustrated shout tore fro hard This was not his finest hour

With another groan, he heaved hi forward to the wardrobe to fetch his clothing Unlike Cecilia, he did have things to do today

First on the agenda: a visit to Colonel Stubbs Edward did not think he had learned much of use about the Connecticut seaports, but he was a soldier to his bones, and it was his duty to report what he had discovered Not to mention he needed to tell the colonel where he’d been for so long Tied up in a barn with a cat for company wasn’t particularly heroic, but it was a far cry fros His trunk had been stored alongside Edward’s when they’d both left for Connecticut Now that he had been officially declared dead, his things should be turned over to Cecilia

Edondered if thehim that he hadn’t eaten in nearly a day Cecilia had probably ordered breakfast With luck, it would be hot and waiting for hi roo some structure to the day He felt a bit more like himself when he knehat he needed to do

For today, at least

Chapter 19

We are finally seeing the first signs of spring, and I aive Captain Rokesby one of these crocuses I hope I pressed theht you both would enjoy a sland