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‘Which Christmas present? Oh!’

He swept her up, shouldered open the door and strode down the passageway to her room ‘The one in my arms The one the Fates sent me’ He set her on the bed and went back to lock the door

‘You have already unwrapped it’ Tess sat up, the better to look at hi as he did so Coat, exquisite waistcoat, neckcloth landed where he threw the havoc with his hair, and kicked off his shoes

‘What are you laughing at?’ Alex de breeches

‘You The elegant, exquisite Lord Weybourn, careless of his beautiful waistcoat, his perfect hair’

He s, I a to be disappointed’

‘I cannot tell you how deliciously exciting it is to see that perfection in disorder because ofas he pulled off trousers and stockings in a few urgent movements

‘You, Miss Ellery, are developing into a hussy What would Mother Superior say?’

‘She would faint away, I hope Alex, I do love your shoulders’

‘Only an to work on the tiny fastenings of her gown

‘That was the first thing I found attractive about you, even when you were being infuriating and not lettingme miss my boat’ She reached back and caressed as much of them as she could

‘Not s now, his breath hot on her nape

‘I wanted to box your ears Besides, at least two of your friends have ht that you looked like a particularly wicked, rather dangerous, ical creature’