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He began wrapping her hair around his finger "No, I was fairlyinto the bed"

Her hand curled beneath her chin

"That’s my favorite," he said "A bit innocent, a bit sultry I wonder what you were drea"

"About you, probably"

"Probably? Don’t you reave her a funny look before tossing his papers to the floor and pulling her beneath hiht’s not yet over"

As his hed No, no, it’s not

Frannie had planned to leave at dawn, but just before the sun began easing over the horizon, he was ain and he didn’t rush it They both kneould be the last time, the final time, and they savored every touch, every stroke, every kiss When she did finally leave his bed, breakfast had been readied

They’d gotten dressed and walked down to the breakfast dining roo her about his adventures in learning to ride a ca so hard that she couldn’t eat She loved his smile and the joy that lit his eyes She loved--

"Your Grace, I’m sorry to disturb you, but an Inspector Swindler from Scotland Yard is here," the butler announced

Frannie felt her stoical world was about to clash with reality

"Send hi said, just before he reached out and squeezed her hand "It’ll be all right"

She nodded, rising to her feet as he did Jiaze fell on her She saw the disappointenius to determine what had happened here Was it evident in her blush, which she had no ability to control?

"Inspector, would you care to join us for breakfast?" Sterling asked

"No I just…orried about you, Frannie We didn’t know--"

"I left a note on Jack’s desk" All she’d said was that she was going to see after Greystone, but still, it had given her whereabouts There’d been no cause for worry Well, except for the part where she’d proht, then?"

"Yes, I’m very well Thank you"

"Sorry to have disturbed yourdown her napkin, she rushed out after hinored hi up with Ji his arm "Jim"

He spun around She could see the concern and hurt in his green eyes And anger, too, as though he didn’t knohat exactly to feel any more than she did "He won’t marry you, Frannie"

"I’aze to the floor as though he couldn’t bear to see whatever her eyes et his emotions in check She wanted to reach out and touch him, comfort him, but she was fairly certain he wouldn’t welcome either at that moment He lifted his eyes to hers, and all the love he’d ever felt for her was there "Even if his babe is growing in your belly, I’ll marry you"