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Ien ran a hand over her hair At one point her hat had alain, but she had snatched it just in tiled She probably smelled like leather and yellow parsley, because she’d lain down in the field for a moment and looked at the sky "I’ll stop in to see hi up her , Brinkley We both are in desperate need of a neardrobe"

"But--"

She pushed open the door to the study It was a dily male, furniture The walls were lined with books, and one had the odd feeling that they were leaning in at the top, as if the walls were bowed under their weight

"Rafe?" she called "Where are you?"

"We are here" She walked forward and then saw Rafe’s hand go out in the diand la court dress His suit was of red velvet, a suit created for an encounter with the king Or the queen He wore formal breeches, and a square vest of enificent Every inch of him was ducal, from the beautiful fit of the velvet on his shoulders to the braided trier fell around his shoulders but was tied back The shoulders of his coat looked slightly strained, and yet he wore the elegant, tight-fitting garment with the ease of someone who pulls on a waistcoat easped

He bowed It was the bow of a duke to a young , a bow that coree a sense of both their positions--her beauty, his wealth

Her eyes slid to the side, and there was Mr Spenser, sravitude "Lady Maitland," he said, bowing

Griselda stepped forward She too was dressed as ," she said, kissing Ien said "All of you"

"Gabriel will act as your guardian in this discussion," Rafe said

"He will?"

"Under the circuuardian has received a request for your hand in uardian"

"I hereby disavow the position," Rafe said "I’ve asked Gabriel to help reatof giving up his post at the university"

"Oh," Ie"

"Wouldn’t you like to hear who offered it?" Mr Spenser had both her hands, soentle, lopsided smile that was somehow both his and Rafe’s

She didn’t dare to answer, just looked at him

"His Grace, the Duke of Holbrook, has requested the honor of your hand in uardian, I have advised him that since you are a , and not a dependent in anyone’s household, you are free to make your own choice" Gabriel’s face creased into a swift sht hand and kissed it "I shall leave you to contemplate your decision"

Griselda took his arm "I believe that s e, my dear" She sen turned slowly to Rafe She felt as if she were in a drea, aristocratic creature who stood before her

And then, as she watched him, he sank onto his knee before her He took her hands, and those were his hands, so large They weren’t a pampered duke’s hands, but the calloused hands of a ht her palm to his lips, and her heart leaped