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He laughed again and shook his head “Some of the billets we found—no, I shall not ed there are past price That cae that I served my country in its time of need, I shall always treasure”

“As well you should!” Knowing his preference for ho put aside his own desires to endure naht to defeat Napoleon

Besides, preferring home and hearth was an ad down in a permanent location what she wanted too?

By now they’d reached Hyde Park To her surprise, it was much more crowded than when she’d acco! Is today a preferred visiting day?”

“No, ’tis the usual afternoon hour,” Rob replied “I expect you were here too early the other day—fortunately, for there would have been fewer people of rank to notice you with Tavener Did you meet anyone, by the way?”

“No one he wished to present,” Allegra replied, heat flushing her cheeks as she recalled the rude appraisal she’d received from Tavener’s rakish acquaintances No need to further infla that incident, despite being able to describe how quickly her escort had routed the two rogues

Rob snorted “That I can believe We shall go about changing that at once Ho, Sir Thomas, well-met!”

Rob pulled up the curricle beside a gentleman on a bay hack, whom he introduced as his old Oxford mate, Sir Thomas Reede Before Sir Tho another of Rob’s friends, Mr Richard Radsleigh and his mother After presentations were made all around, calls pro rout secured, they drove on

Allegra’s hope for more private talk with Rob was frustrated as it seee trail they e acco with names she would never all remember

Though their arrival put an end to the private chat she’d wished for, still it was a novel experience to be the center of attention To receive coentlemen and invitations to call from their ladies

And what a large nuiven his sterling character, that he had earned the affection of so many

Sitting in theup at Rob as he joked with Colonel Jessara reflected that si at the object of your ad Even, she added with a oal was to show you off to other prospective suitors

AS HIS HORSE PICKED its way through the crowd, Will chided hie that had propelled him to ride at a place and tih interest in the parade of society ladies displaying the before the ladies—to endure the slow pace resulting froallop There was, however, so with their adreeting acquaintances startled to find him here at this hour

Finally, he spotted the reason behind his compulsion to ride seated in a curricle souardsmen He noted Lord Lynton at the vehicle’s reins and smiled Should he join them and turn Lynton’s pleasant expression into a frown?

He urged his horse forward until forced to halt by the press of vehicles, still twenty paces frouards to approach further Anyway, ’twas a pleasure just looking at her, radiant in a gown and bonnet that borrowed brightness froolden halo about her olive face and dark eyes Those apricot lips parted slightly as she smiled up at her escort

Then his contented saze she had fixed on Lynton wasThen Lynton said sole closer to him

Suddenly Will felt sick, as if an opponent he deeut So the wind sat in that quarter, did it?

So shaken was he by the discovery, he was nearly out of the park before he realized he’d turned his horse toward the exit Pulling up, he tried to regain his composure