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Taking the glass frora noted—Sapphira took a tiny sip and gazed up at him “Lord Lynton—our own dear Rob! Pray excuseso much like my poor Robert, I was…quite overcome”
Rob rerow accustomed to the likeness, since I intend to sell out and reland”
“Oh, Rob, that’s great news!” Allegra said, speaking for the first time since the little drama unfolded
Ignoring her, Sapphira gave him a weak sing a household is such a burden for a woman alone, especially as I am still so much cast down…” She allowed one crystalline tear to bead on her long lashes
At thatwith Lizzie Allegra noted that after Hill assured Rob she and Lizzie couldher ladyship up to her chamber, he made no further attempt to assist her He simply watched as the wohtful expression on his face
When the trio had gone, he turned back to Allegra “I notice you didn’t offer your help”
“I expect Aunt Sapphira would sooner accept the hand of an urchin off the street than take mine,” she replied
“You don’t get on?”
After briefly considering a ra said only “No”
Rob studied her, his gaze progressing froloveless hands to her worn gown His eyes returning to her face, he said, “I have an appointment with the solicitors soon, but when I return, I should like to talk further”
“I’d like that, too You…” She paused, her eyes filling with tears “You must wish to know about Uncle Robert’s last days He often spoke of you, and I pros”
“I didn’t kno ill he was until…” His own eyes sheening with moisture, Rob broke off and sed hard “In his last letter, he said only that he’d been ailing with so further, I should have realized that so was amiss—but there was always one more duty to perform, and the weeks slipped by”
Shocked, Allegra looked up at him “You didn’t kno desperately ill he was?”
“If I had, I would have come hoain And his fine neife sent lad he had some family with him at…at the end”
“Oh, Rob,” she whispered, tears starting again as his face contorted While he looked away, fighting for control, she took his hand He gripped hers hard for aback to her
“Thank you for being here, Allegra I want to know everything, but later, when I have e for the appointment Walk up with me, won’t you?”
Letting go of her hand, he motioned her to precede him In silence they entered the hall and walked up the stairs Distracted by a renewal of her grief, it wasn’t until Rob stopped at the door to the blue bedchamber that she remembered
Flushing, she motioned toward his room farther down the hall “I’ll leave you to finish your preparations Please do send for ood luck at the solicitors” After squeezing his hand, she made to walk past him back toward the service stairs
He caught her shoulder “Coe without you for a few hours Why don’t you rest while I’one?” With a save her a teasing push
Caught off-guard by that action, she stu as she tried to think of soaze had scanned the obviously unoccupied chamber
“You’re not staying here?”
She summoned a smile “I have…other accommodations now”