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Genny longed to deny it She didn’t want to give Brooke the satisfaction of knowing for certain why Rafe had h anyway “Yes, I am”

“Suddenly it all makes sense”

Genny refused to rise to that bait “Rafe and I are thrilled So is Eloise”

Brooke produced a slow, ratulate you”

“Thank you”

“Granny’s asked o away, did you know? For a week I’ll stay with Fiona” Brooke’s lifelong friend had a house in Chelsea “It’s partly a repri But it’s ive you ti to deal with me”

“Do you want me to tell Eloise to let you stay, is that it?”

“Oh, no I wouldn’t dream of that” Brooke stared up at her, defiant

“Brooke, I’? It would be a relief to have the woone

“It’s fine” Brooke gave a lazy shrug “Time away from here with someone who loves me is just what I need about now”

Genny wanted to grab her and shake her “Why does it have to be my fault that you feel unloved at Hartmore?”

“Did I say I felt unloved?”

“You didn’t have to”

Brookesound “Well, you can take what I said however you want to”

Genny asked with excruciating civility, “Was there anything else you needed to discuss with me?”

“Not a thing”

“Then, let’s go back in”

Brooke swept to her feet and they turned together for the house

The remainder of the day passed uneventfully Brooke and Geoffrey left for London