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Not trusting herself to speak, A breath, she said, ‘Would it inconvenience you terribly if I went home to Ashton Grove to talk with Papa?’

‘It’s only natural you want to consult him on so important a decision I’m sure he will advise you to be sensible Very well, uests will be arriving any minute’

‘I’ tears sting her eyes

Lady Parnell sighed and gave her a quick hug ‘You know I only want the best for you I just hope you’ll temper emotion with prudence And remember—such opportunities as you have been blessed with occur only once in a lifetime’

Before Amanda could add more than a thank you, Kindle entered to usher in their first dinner guest, and social duties left her no more time to worry over her future

As soon as their guests departed, though, she would set Betsy to packing Greville Anders would be returning to Ashton Grove, and before she distressed Papa by announcing a choice that ain

In the ain in her own chalass, nervously s in to speak with Papa

To her great disappoint, she’d discovered Greville Anders was not in residence He’d gone to visit his sister, Sands told her, and hadn’t yet returned

So she would have to talk with Papa without seeing hian to pace, wondering just what she should tell him If she confessed her partiality for Greville, hoould Papa react? With disappointust?

Her thoughts still sildly back and forth between putting her feelings aside and e, and abandoning the secure future he represented to offer herself to Greville Anders

Her practical side said she was a fool even to conte so risky—what if Papa disapproved and threatened to disown her for throwing away her grand prospects? She didn’t think she could bear to forfeit his love and support But if he didn’t approve, as she to do about her passion for Greville Anders?

She si to

On the other hand, she didn’t want to finish her days a successful hostess and estee for the

Oh, if only Greville were here! She just knew that if she could see his and watch his face, she’d be able to tell if her powerful, tempestuous e a castle of dreams about his love that was completely devoid of reality

In that case, she could always go back to London and accept Trowbridge’s offer

A sudden, powerful conviction seized her, freezing her in mid-step For the first ti Trowbridge—accepting any other ardless of how he felt about her, she loved Greville Anders and no one else would do

She didn’t want to settle for e by living a lie, pledging her hand to hied to another

Along with that surety cae that she had no choice but to take the risk of confessing everything to Papa

If she was about to put her whole future in the balance, shelike a bird taking flight, she headed for her father’s study

He gave a delighted smile as she entered and came over to eht! How good to see you, my child!’

‘I suppose you can guess why I came home’

‘To see if Althea was taking proper care not to let me slip out of the house in defiance of doctor’s orders? To discover whether Cook was nipping at the sherry or the underbutler nabbing the silver?’ he teased ‘Althea is doing a wonderful job, by the way’