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"I noticed that; it’s a reround," she offered

"For every good, there is a darker side" He sighed If she didn’t know better, she would think that he was being melodramatic Yet James didn’t have a un to ache from the stool’s hard little seat, and she stood up A for Theo to finish her baths The stool would be much more comfortable with a padded seat She es in the next few days," she said, changing the subject, "but new experiences are alorthy of note"

Jahter, and before she could stop him, he walked across the rooainst his chest again

"You reallyopen the door to her bedcha in his arms She hadn’t really noticed before, but his forearms were corded with muscles Or perhaps she had noticed

"Daisy," he said, his voiceto be severe and amused at once "Do you truly think that ill live like savages, given the splendor of your bedchamber, not to mention the rest of this house?"

Of course the room was very luxuriously appointed The Venetian silk drapery was a particularly elegant touch "We have no servants," she said, pointing out the obvious "Life without servants is terribly uncomfortable Will you please putyou" Then he did the oddest thing: he bent his head and dropped a kiss on her nose

It was as soft as the touch of a butterfly and just as fleeting And yet somehow it jolted down her entire body

She sao of hio, and the huge pirate of now

Any ry look in his eyes She began to struggle in earnest "Putto tell you," he said very rapidly, before she could speak "I’ as I was, Daisy I don’t have that same sort of uncontrollable desire anymore Yes, I would like to make love to my wife I want to have children But do you want to know precisely how many women Jack Hawk made love to?"

She scowled at him "No"

"Three," he said "Three And there were ht, between the days when I saw one of my mistresses That’s what they were: not lovers, but mistresses In the last year, I slept with no one In fact," he said thoughtfully, "it’s been about sixteen months Griffin and I went to China, and then ere on our way to India ere attacked It took lanced at his scar and shuddered

"Did you hear what I said, Daisy?"

"You are not the womanizer that the Bow Street Runner described," she said obediently

"Along with control of anger comes control of desire You cannot do one without the other"

"Why not?"

He shrugged "All I can say is that I don’t have any particular wish for the sort of fervent encounters that we shared when firstroom, or indeed, anywhere other than in complete privacy, under the covers of a comfortable bed"

"I don’t care toat him in an effort to see whether he appeared truthful

"As I said, I want to have children And I want you by my side, Daisy I am completely in control of , I will not be unfaithful to you ever again I will never take a mistress"

Despite herself, a little flare of hope lit in Theo’s heart It would be so nice to have James back if she didn’t have to worry about those bedroom activities

But she didn’t quite believe hi in your face earlier"