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Had the housekeeper seen theainst the instinct to simply close her eyes and pretend that kiss had never happened But that would be rude Shebut concern there

‘I’ve got a nightgown for you,’ Mrs Se called for, so I thought I had best bring soet you undressed and into bed, shall we, Miss Ellery?’

The other woht as she did her best to help with the undressing It see to be a housekeeper ‘Is Mr Se polite conversation under extraordinary circumstances

‘I’m a , Miss Ellery I don’t live in as a rule, not with an all-male household, you understand’

‘But you’re so young Oh, I’ht’

‘And no wonder My husband was killed at Waterloo He was one of his old lordship’s grooms, but he was set on the army’ She tucked Tess in with a brisk pat at the sheets, then stepped back to survey the room From her nod she was satisfied hat she saw ‘Nohat can I fetch you to eat, Miss Ellery? A nice little omelette with some bread and butter and a cup of tea?’

‘That sounds perfect, thank you’ Tess closed her eyes and leaned back into the couely if she would be able to stay awake to eat it and drifted off to sleep

‘She’s asleep’ Hannah Semple closed the study door behind her and caot there?’

Alex stroked his pal purr vibrated through his hand ‘This is Noel I set out to cross the Channel and come home alone with a pile of artworks, yet ended up with one kitten and a nun who isn’t’

Hannah kicked off her shoes and curled up in the ar to do with them?’

‘I was hoping you’d be some help with that, Hannah’ He looked at her with affection, his childhood player at Tempeston He’d watched her march off to follow Willie Semple to hen both he and Hannah were just seventeen, and she’d written to hiland, ain search of a place In front of the other staff she was meticulously formal; alone with him they were simply old friends