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‘I have a stud,’ Mr Rivers explained ‘I import some of the more unusual Continental breeds from time to time’

‘And you, my lord?’

‘Alex’ He gave her that slanting, wicked siven me if you my lord me from here to London’

It seeree of inforst aristocrats ‘Very well, although Alex Tempest sounds more like a pirate than a viscount’

Mr Rivers snorted ‘That’s what he is He scours the Continent in search of loot and buried treasure’

‘Art and antiquities,buried Can you iine me with a shovel?’

Tess noted the flex ofof his coat Perhaps it was not achieved by digging holes, but the viscount was keeping exceptionally fit soine you with a sword

‘I ah the wilderness of a Continent after a great war’

‘Poseur,’ Mr Rivers said

‘Of course’ Alex’s ready agreely frank ‘I do have my reputation to maintain’

‘But forgive ht it was not acceptable for aristocrats to engage in trade’ And perhaps it was not acceptable to mention it at all