page6 (1/2)

Balked at forcing Allegra intosuccession of thewhether she would be taxed to answer letters, sort the tangle of e basket, pour tea or fetch the shawl, fan, sewing scissors or other item Sapphira inexplicably could not locate, particularly when there was an audience to watch Allegra do her bidding, Allegra knocked on the parlor door

She entered to find Sapphira entertaining Lady Ingrara ht with relief, it wasn’t any of Sapphira’s sycophant admirers, who, emboldened by her husband’s death, paid her calls nearly every day

After glancing at her when she walked in, Sapphira looked away, pointedly ignoring Allegra as she returned her attention to her friends Allegra set her teeth and waited

“You hadn’t heard?” Lady Ingraave up Clorinda ato fix his interest—to no avail Now, there’s a rief!”

“Such presence,” Mrs Barton-Shed “Such eyes! Such physique!”

“Such technique,” Lady Ingra

Such a conversation to be having with a ne, Allegra thought, her small store of patience exhausted Compared to Rob, she doubted she’d find this Lord Tavener so “divine”

Pasting a sraceful curtsey “Aunt Sapphira, how ht I assist you?”

Her expression disapproving, Mrs Barton-S toin the dovecotes of London!”

“Indeed!” Sapphira replied Finally deigning to acknowledge Allegra, she turned and waved an i per to approach “I find the parlor chilly, Allegra Fetch ohile you help Stirling polish the silver, for if you spoil the dress, I shan’t buy you another!” Turning to her friends, she said with a shake of her head, “So thoughtless—but what can one expect of a chit of her background?”

Curling her nails into her palra laughed lightly “Poor Aunt Sapphira, grief issilver is a footh,” she added in a thoughtful tone, “forgetfulness is said to be a sign of an aging mind By the way, dear aunt, should you not take a seat out of the sunlight? ’Tis so injurious to the mature complexion”

Sapphira had opened her lips, probably to give Allegra a set-down, but at that last re her mouth shut, she jumped up from the sofa and hurried over to the mirror

Just then the front door knocker sounded “Answer that before you get lass, searching her reflection

Suppressing a chuckle, Allegra exited the roo with a rueful shrug the footman who stood ready to perform that task, she threw open the door

Allegra’s breath caught and her hand clutched the doorknob as her gaze locked on the tall officer in scarlet regiasped

A thin scar made a white arch over the left eyebrow of a face bronzed by a life in the saddle Standing on the threshold was not the lighthearted Oxford student she re, every inch the seasoned commander who had led men in battle

Still, with his hair the color of ripe wheat and his deep blue eyes set off by the brilliant red of his uniform, Rob Lynton was even handsoo She exhaled in a rush as so fluttered in her chest

He was staring at her, as well “Is that—Allegra? Heavens, hon up you look! But what are you doing answering the door?”

“Oh, R-Rob!” she stuttered, his dear face suddenly rerief razored through her, bringing tears to her eyes

Seeing the past her to close the door, he ra, ’tis a heartache indeed,” and drew her into his arms

Savoring the feeling of his closeness, she clung to hie to weep A sharp “harru them, disapproval on his face

Eying her askance, he inclined his head to Rob and said icily, “How may I help you, soldier?”