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Lookingand ian Black gelding and caaze found hers—and then they both looked away, to Geoffrey, who stared at Rafe with uilt and adoration Rafe knehat to do He held out his arms

With a cry, Geoffrey flung hied hiround, Geoffrey on Genny’s left, Rafe on Geoffrey’s other side

Rafe took out a cell phone and called the house “Yes, hullo, Frances” Frances Tuttington served as housekeeper for the East Wing She took care of the family “Will you tell ave her a quick nod and she felt absurdly gratified He spoke into the phone again “He’s fine He’s well We’re at the castleYes We’ll be heading back there soon” He put the phone away

Geoffrey was looking sulky again “I o back”

“We can see that,” Rafe answered gently “But you will, won’t you? For me? For Gen? For yourself, most of all”

Geoffrey groaned and looked away

Rafe said, “You know, I hated school myself when they first sent me away”

“But you were older”

“I was, yes, a little But still, I hated it Until I started realizing that I could learn things there I couldn’t learn at Hartmore”

“I like science class,” Geoffrey grudgingly admitted “I don’t ”

“Ah,” said Rafe “And you wouldn’t be studying aikido at the village school, noould you?”

Geoffrey picked up a twig and poked at the round with it “Did youmake friends at St Paul’s?”

“Not at first I was sure they all hated ht back”

“Yes,” Geoffrey muttered “Exactly”

“But then I found out that some of them missed home as much as I did I found out that they were a lot like me” He chuckled low “Or at least, ht at first It worked itself out By second ter friend or two during my years at school”