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Finally, Rafe did open the door

He walked into the study, the inner sancturandfather had sat

He stood for a long ti at the two crystal decanters, concealed behind paneling that swung open at his touch Then somehow a decanter was in his hand, open The sharp scent of the whiskey lured like a siren’s smile It was oblivion, that extra cape and ing his impover-ishment His inability to be a proper duke The whiskey seemed to call to him, promise hien didn’t need hiht He didn’t need Ien, not for this And perhaps she had need of hilass of whiskey

A moment later he emptied the two decanters onto the courtyard stones, far below the

Then he sat down He knew precisely what to do He started to make a list His solicitor, at the en

Chapter 35

Raphael Jourdain, Duke ofHolbrook, Comes into His Title

Gabriel Spenser was clearly in love with Miss Pythian-Adaen didn’t know It was all one with the lued itself behind her breastbone

She hadn’t even seen Rafe in days because he’d left for London without saying goodbye Her reatly excited because the duke had visited a tailor and had ordered a wardrobe "fit for a duke" Even presentation breeches, Daisy said, theRafe was back at Holbrook Court "And he saw his solicitor in London Mr Brinkley says it likely indicates that His Grace means to en said Her se on her face, like a wrinkle before its tiht he was to marry Miss Pythian-Adams," Daisy continued "But there, she’s made her choice Mr Brinkley says that the duke only came back to Holbrook Court for a day or so He’s off to London again to a young lady even now, before the season begins"

Ien blinked away a dimness in her eyes So Rafe meant to marry And Gabriel meant to marry Why, so did she As soon as she found a man anted her for more than a casual kiss and a casual tu, desperate sense of grief and loss that threatened to match what she had felt when Draven died It was a blaspheen’s throat close with tears at the sha with excitement "Rafe has seen Mayne in London, and you won’t believe this, Ien took a deep breath "Who is he ?"

"A Frenchwoot She sounds like a heroine in one of my novels Rafe has met her; he says that she’s exquisite and will keep Mayne in line Oh, you’re wearing a riding habit Are you taking Posy out before breakfast?"

In fact, Iht to ask if Rafe wished to accoed herto the stables now I’ry"

She didn’t return until an hour later She and Posy had galloped along country lanes, ducked under the s between her land and Rafe’s, ah the field where Rafe had asked her to one froo to London and find a husband who treasured her Who thought she was interesting and funny, even in the daylight Who didn’t need to be seduced, but would want to seduce her Who didn’t need to sneak into her bedchae before she even thought he was interested Who would say that he loved her

Ien strode into the entryway and handed her hat and crop to Brinkley "His Grace would like to see you at your convenience in his study," Brinkley said "Shall I inform him that you will join him in, perhaps, an hour?"