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While Greville’s mind worked feverishly, Nicky said, ‘At any rate, your release papers should arrive soon What do you intend to do then?

‘I’ve a small bequest froh, I’d like to purchase a property and would appreciate your advice on a suitable one Beyond that, I’m fully aware of the very poor job I did at Blenheant, and, yes, resentful of you, I let a venalyour trust and leaving unprotected those who should have been under my care My time at Ashton Grove has ence must have made life for the tenants I’d like to make amends to them somehow, if I could’

Engleer on his desk ‘I’d turn Blenhem Hill back over to you and let you er Always a e, ht it froe, however, so heto sell it back to you’

Return to Blenhem Hill, face those he’d injured, earn back their trust and work the rest of his life assisting them At Blenhe while at the sas of the past

The rightness of it settled deep within hi some of the emptiness Amanda Neville’s departure had left at the centre of his spirit ‘I would relish the opportunity’

‘Why not talk with Ned, then? As far as I know, he and your sister are still at Blenhean when he took over the property last spring Joanna is to present Ned with their first child shortly; I’m sure she would appreciate a visit’

‘I owe her a great deal, too,’ Greville acknowledged

‘You do indeed Had it not been for her intervention, you ton was in no hurry to release such a hard-working ive you satisfaction, come back to see me I’ll keep land I’e for a e of Infidels”’

‘Did he indeed?’ Greville asked, a bit embarrassed

‘So Captain Harrington told me’

Clearing his throat gruffly, Greville offered Nicky his hand ‘Thank you for all you’ve done’ At the words, he had to grin ‘You can’t iine how hard that would once have been foryou’

Grinning back, Nicky shook it ‘I’et to know me, or so my wife says But it is hard to feel beholden If Ned turns down your proposition, come back and I’ll recommend a property in need of so ratitude’

A knock sounded at the door, followed by the entrance of Engleood to see you! Will you be staying long? There’s a ball tonight for the daughter of your Devon host, the protégée of my old friend Lady Parnell Won’t you accompany us?’

‘A ball for…Amanda Neville?’ he blurted

At Lady Englemere’s nod, he tried to sort out an iain! But only as one areat crowd, most of the to enter She’d have little time to spare for a man as, and devoutly wished to remain, a simple countryman

The political members of society led lives less devoted to idleness than the rest of the ton, he acknowledged, but still, the ball represented a world that no longer appealed to hi and drinking at other, adentleood birth There’d be only one lady present hoed by admirers

‘I, ah, didn’t bring evening dress with me, unfortunately,’ he said at last ‘But thank you for the invitation’

‘The odds at the clubs say Trowbridge is going to snap up Miss Neville…and her excellent dowry,’ Engle

‘Which only proves he’s the smart lad everyone claims him to be,’ Sarah replied ‘It’s nearly certain he’ll receive a pro a government in the next few years’

Trowbridge Was she really going to accept that coe? Greville’s ier was followed by an ache of desolation

‘You met Miss Neville before she left for London, did you not?’ Lady Englemere asked

He found that lady’s penetrating gaze fixed on hilimpsed the pain on his face before he schooled his expression to neutrality, he replied, ‘Yes A charain, but since I would like to visit Blenhem Hill before I return to Ashton Grove, I intend to leave very early toet back as soon as possible’

Had he been too dised between husband and wife