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‘Is there a convent on the coast of Greenland, do you think?’ Alex enquired He could feel the anger boiling up, only just in his control ‘Or on the slopes of some volcano somewhere? I would like to see her transferred there, I think You are the child of parents who broke the law and you are an innocent in all of this’

‘None of this is fair,’ Tess said ‘But it is the reality I will not be your mistress I could not bear it And I cannot be your wife, however often you gallantly offer to ruin your name and alienate your family for a woman ill never be accepted in society, simply because your honour demands it’

‘My heart de it Tess would laugh at hi He had worn thethat surely no one would be able to see behind it now

‘Oh, Alex’ She reached up and caressed his cheek and he closed his eyes against the pain of it ‘You were right I was a silly romantic and now I have infected you with my sentimentality and you will be hurt, too I am so sorry’

Her fingers left his face, but he kept his eyes closed, standing in darkness as her footsteps faded away The clock struck one It was Christ already

Chapter Twenty-Two

His father did not appear at breakfast, which was hardly surprising Everyone except his brother and sister and Dorcas had taken it in their roos and toast, all of which tasted like straw He finished a second cup of coffee before he asked Garnett if he knew the earl’s plans for the

‘I believe his lordship intends to spend soestured to a footman to replenish Alex’s cup ‘Her ladyship expressed her concern that he should rest, but he re that he intended to deal with some social correspondence and would not overexert himself’

‘Inform me when his lordship comes down, please, Garnett’

The butler effaced himself and Alex reached for some more toast he did not want

‘Are you going to marry Miss Ellery?’ Maria’s question sent the strawberry preserve dish crashing froers into the butter

There was a flurry of attentive footmen Alex waved them away ‘Thank you, you may leave’ When they were alone he rescued the spoon and dumped jam on the toast ‘Why should you expect me to do that?’

Matthew snorted ‘Because the pair of you look like agitated turtle doves, billing and cooing onethe next’