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By now, growing more accustoues respect any boundaries?’

He raised his eyebrows ‘And ould a “siues?’

She’d opened her e…until theher in the shadow of the Neville Tour flashed into her head,her lips

Lamentably astute, Hillyard noticed her hesitation ‘Not quite such an innocent, then!’ he declared, grinning ‘Though if you’re beautiful and naughty, I’e doesn’t deserve a truly wicked miss Too serious by half, you know’

For a er Huhed aloud ‘Are you always this outrageous, Mr Hillyard?’

‘Generally not with virginal young ladies, who either have no idea what I’hted that you do neither Perhaps ould suit’

‘Indeed! Whatever leads you to that conclusion?’

He shrugged ‘Soue than to an upstanding gentleman like Lucien’

Maybe not a true rogue…but she’d found one for indeed She returned fro at her, pure sensual assessaze

Feeling her face fla aspersions on my character as well! I should probably cut you completely’

‘Too late for that,’ he said, having the effrontery to chuckle at her outrage ‘If you keep co, I’m bound to turn up, like clots in a bowl of creae will surely not, so you may find invaluable’

‘Indeed? And what ht that be?’

‘The truth Abouther with another s look, ‘you are not always prudent, are you, Miss Neville?’

Meain invaded her mind Before she could dispel them and summon some prim rejoinder, he continued, ‘In any event, Lady Parnell will shortly rescue you; I believe she’s about to conclude her chat with the doleful Lord Melcombe I’ll take myself off before she has a chance to chastisechaperon, I hope to see much more of you, my divine Miss Neville’

Before she could tartly reply that she was neither divine nor his, he bowed and walked away

An inclination towards rogues, indeed! she thought, shaking her head ruefully as she watched hih to adun to feel a sense of ease with Hillyard that she still didn’t feel with the e

At that moment, Lady Parnell turned back to her ‘My dear, let me present Lord Melcombe, who’s most anxious to make your acquaintance’

After an exchange of courtesies, Melcombe said, ‘You seemed quite immersed in the conversation at dinner, Miss Neville—a rather singular reaction for a lady of your tender years Do you truly follow events in Parliament, as Lady Parnell claims?’

‘Yes, randmother was an acquaintance of the Duchess of Devonshire, who inspired in her an abiding interest in political matters that she passed on to ’

He nodded approvingly ‘I hope you ladies will each save me a dance’

‘We would be honoured, my lord,’ Lady Parnell replied for them After Melcombe bowed and walked away, she snared Amanda by the elbow and walked her into quiet corner

‘I couldn’t be more pleased,’ she said in an undertone ‘Jane told me Lord Ravensfell was quite impressed and intended to convey to Lucien his hearty approval of you And if that were not coup enough, you’ve attracted Lord Melcombe’s interest as well!’

‘Might your fondness fortoo much into this?’ Amanda asked, a little alaring on their son’s pursuit ‘As for Melcoed only a handful of sentences’