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Mrs Randall nodded her assent and took Rob’s arlance in Tavener’s direction, Allegra let herself be led off with the group
As they walked to the refreshentlemen to whom she’d been introduced these last feeeks stopped her to offer compliments on her skill
Allegra had to suppress a little smile It appeared that Sapphira’s scheone awry
She hoped, after they finished their wine and the gentleht find a few e how he felt about seeing her suddenly beco eyes Would he be proud of her perfor her to entlemen, would he be as anxious to restrict the time she spent with theTavener?
Soon after arriving in the refreshment rooin to play, signaling that the dancing had begun A bubble of excitera’s belly How she would love to twirl about the ballroom floor on Rob’s arht discover if having another man so close to her moved him to jealousy
To her consternation, though, Rob firestions that they return to the ballrooued, he informed them, he meant to escort the ladies hooodbyes and promises to call, Rob’s friends bowed and departed
Hard put to ra sed her disappoint Rob’s ar him to lead her out of the refreshment room
During their transit down the stairs to claientlera’sher head—and her te cut short before she’d had a chance to achieve one of herhere
Rob’s stated preference for meek, pretty-behaved maidens had already closed to her the avenue of flirtation Lost noas the rare opportunity to savor the touch of his hand on hers when she danced with hiht converse in relative privacy and she could atte every word, to rekindle the admiration and camaraderie they’d shared in their youth
A few e “’Twas a close-run thing,” Rob said as they settled theh despite your perforra”
“Indeed, I believe her perforentlemen than she would have had otherwise,” Mrs Randall observed
So Rob still didn’t adentle her the most ti ira reminded them
“That was most chivalrous,” Mrs Randall said “Perhaps it would have been safe for us to have re after all”
Rob shook his head “’Tis best to beat a strategic retreat and leave your ad more”
“I’ht,” Mrs Randall said “Still, what agentlera”
“It was lovely,” Allegra acknowledged “I just wish,” she added wistfully, looking up at Rob, “I’d been able to converse ht us”
Was there a hint of tenderness in the wide save her? “Nonsense!” he replied “I can worship at your feet any day I’ men” His smile dimmed “Men of better stamp than Tavener”
“That’s hardly fair, Rob!” Allegra protested “Not only did he shield me from scrutiny by his superior perfor wine, he prevented Lord Wofford and Sir Harry Miles fro”
“Wofford and Miles—those two undesirables? Damn and blast!” he exclaimed “They should never have had the effrontery to approach you—and I daresay they would not have, had Tavener’s presence not encouraged them”