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Cathy’s pulse rocketed as one word reverberated over and over again ‘Mistress?’ she gasped

‘I rather think e’ve just been doing qualifies you for the role, don’t you, Cathy?’

‘I…I don’t knohat to say,’ she breathed

‘Then say nothing Women usually say far toosilent and silittered her a look ‘And beauty is marred by too much make-up—so please don’t wear quite so much in future because I can assure you that I don’t find it attractive’

‘That was…that was Rupert’s idea,’ she blurted out

‘Oh, was it?’ he questioned thoughtfully as he studied the too-sooty eyes and suddenly her tarty transforlishman was! ‘Well, from now on—you will take instruction only from me in the best way to present yourself as reat potential for the position, cara inity—indeed, you are the only virgin I have ever bedded—and that cannot now be undone But perhaps I can in some way redress the balance’

Cathy stared at hi ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Why, in return for having robbed you of your innocence, I intend teaching you everything I know about the art of love-ave a slow and provocative smile ‘And that e can call it quits’

Chapter Five

THE violet shadows of evening were lengthening and the fading light seehtness of the flohich were packed so tightly into the s as he took in the unexpected kaleidoscope of colour which appeared before him

The path leading to Cathy’s cottage was lined on either side by the purple haze of lavender and tall delphiniurey flint of the garden wall Creamy-pink roses scrambled over a trellis—while blooms which looked like bells and others which resembled stars all jostled and billowed for space in the flowerbeds And everywhere there were drifts of scent—so to his senses It was a place of real beauty, and of calm