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As soon as she'd finished speaking, Lucinda's frown eased into a dreairls watched, incredulous, as she sang softly to herself, stroking the lace of her shawl and gazing out the , only inches away frootten into her? Aaret snorted Who is more like it

Lucinda stood up and walked to the , causing Luce to retreat behind the curtain Luce's skin felt flushed, and she could hear the soft hum of Lucinda Biscoe's voice just inches away Then footsteps as Lucinda turned away fro abruptly broke off

Luce dared another peek froone to the easel, where she stood, transfixed

What's this? Lucinda held up the canvas to show her friends Luce couldn't see it very clearly, but it looked ordinary enough Just soori's work, Margaret said His sketches showed so 's co but peonies She gave a strained shrug Odd Artists are so queer

Oh, but he's handsome, Lucinda Amelia took Lucinda by the hand We ot such lovely blond hair, and his eyesOh, his eyes could ood for Thoton and all of his money, I doubt very aret spoke so sharply that it was clear to Luce that she s for Daniel herself

I'd like veryback into her soft hum

Luce held her breath So Lucinda hadn't even met him yet? Hoas that possible when she was so clearly in love?

Let's go, then, A half the party gossiping up here

Luce had to do so But from what Bill and Roland had said, it was ierous to even try Even if she ed it soht be altered Luce herself ht be altered Or worse

Eliminated

But maybe there was a way for Luce to at least warn Lucinda So that she didn't walk into this relationship already blinded by love So that she didn't die a pawn in an age-old punishirls were ale to step from behind the curtain

Lucinda!

Her past self whipped around; her eyes narrohen they fell on Luce's servant's dress Have you been spying on us?

No spark of recognition registered in her eyes It was odd that Roland had mistaken Luce for Lucinda in the kitchen but Lucinda herself appeared to see no reseirl couldn't? Luce took a deep breath and forced herself to go through with her fli, no, she stammered I need to speak with you

Lucinda chortled and glanced at her two friends I beg your pardon?

Aren't you the one handing out the dance cards? Margaret asked Luce Mother won't be very happy to hear that you're neglecting your duties What is your name?

Lucinda Luce drew nearer and lowered her voice It's about the artist Mr Grigori

Lucinda locked eyes with Luce, and so flickered between theo on without me, she said to her friends I'll be down in just a lances, but it was clear that Lucinda was the leader of the group Her friends glided out the door without another word

Inside the parlor, Luce closed the door

What is so i Did he ask about et involved with hi to think he's very handso to want to fall in love with hi about Daniel in such harsh terms, but it was the only way to save the life of her past self

Lucinda Biscoe huffed and turned to leave

I knew a girl from, um--Derbyshire, Luce went on, who told all sorts of stories of his reputation He's hurt a lot of other girls before He's--he's destroyed them

A shocked sound escaped Lucinda's pink lips How dare you address a lady like this! Just who do you think you are? Whether I fancy this artist or not is no concern of yours She pointed a finger at Luce Are you in love with him yourself, you selfish little wench?

No! Luce jerked back as if she'd been slapped

Bill had warned her that Lucinda was very different, but this ugly side of Lucinda couldn't be all there was to her Otherwise, ould Daniel love her? Otherwise, how could she be a part of Luce's soul?

So deeper had to connect them

But Lucinda was bent over the harpsichord, scrawling a note on a piece of paper She straightened, folded it in two, and shoved it into Luce's hands

I won't report your ihtily, if you deliver this note to Mr Grigori Don't miss your chance to save your e but a white silhouette gliding down the hallway, down the stairs, back to the party

Luce tore open the note

Dear Mr Grigori,Since we happened upon each other in the dressmakers the other day, I