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But none of it ht have been toothless, with a shrill voice, but his mother was the butcher’s wife and they were fast married Gabe’s hter of a country squire, but she was a chipper To Gabe’s mind, Harry’s lack of a front tooth was his own fault because it was pure stupidity to taunt him about his mother’s situation

Before that, he had never really noticed that he didn’t seerandparents He knew his h he never wondered where the squire was Of course, he had known that his father was a duke who had another wife, but he hadn’t thought about the implications of that statement

Not until Harry pointed it out

Gabe for second in the dusty schoolyard He could wish that his mother were married (and he did), but it wouldn’twith stoic resignation because he deserved it Not for beating Harry, but for fighting for so he could never have That was stupid, as stupid as Harry losing a tooth over someone else’s mother It orse to be stupid than to be the son of a chipper It was stupid to get into fights, and it was even stupider to hat you could never have

He never fought over the subject again Occasionally boys called his ate or worse, a doxy or a drab He just looked at the unpleasant in his eye, even without his fists behind it Generally the words dried in their mouths

And Gabe accusto instanta-neous decisions If there was so--or someone-- he desired, he decided whether it was possible If it was not possible, he didn’t spare it another thought If it was possible, he fought for it tooth and nail, as long as he judged it an intelligent goal

His philosophy held him in excellent stead until the Year of Our Lord 1817, on ain October, when he looked up and met the eyes of a certain Miss Pythian-Ada that flooded his body; it was pure, unent, exquisite person For her

He shouldn’t spare her a glance

He couldn’t help looking at her again and again

It went against all his most deeply held principles She was unattainable He shouldn’t spare her a thought

He would have to work on that one later

For thehimself as objectionable as possible Because, after all, she undoubtedly shared the opinion of ular birth reeable personality And he had never felt itimate in his life

For her part, Gillian Pythian-Adams had just discovered that a simple theatrical party was in fact a serious production and that she was, by all accounts, the stageabout these productions," the Duke of Holbrook was saying "We depend on you for everything"

"Generally speaking, private theatricals are a quite private business," Gillian pointed out "Did you say that you wished to invite over one hundred people, Your Grace?"

Holbrook nodded "At least"

"Does that really sound like a private theatrical?" her mama asked

The duke seemed to have a headache He had covered his eyes with his hand and just ree," her mother said cheerfully "Let’s invite a e and leave it at that"

"I’ether more public affair," Mr Spenser said with quiet authority