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Just as she had

The thought and its implications made her shiver

Edge looked over suddenly, his eyes shaded despite the glare of candles He detached hie hisin his darkened eyes but polite interest as they skimmed over her He turned to nod to Sir Henry

‘Thank you for arranging passage so swiftly, Sir Henry’

‘Think nothing of it, Lord Edward HMS Lark is one of the navy’s swiftest vessels and could have you in Portsmouth in under three weeks if weather allows Pity you cannot stay to see the marvellous new finds Truly exquisite But perhaps you will be returning next winter?’

‘Perhaps’

‘Depending on your lovely wife, I am certain’

‘Mr and Mrs Carer, but my wife and I had best leave as we ’

‘Of course, of course Everyone will understand’ Sir Henry laughed, his cheeks redder than Sam’s

Once in the carriage the sounds and smells of Cairo took over Sae could have found Rafe innocently lodged in one of the hotels Then there would have been tiether

She threw hi out the other , his ht line

She had no idea what to say to him

Are you regretting this land and finding your brother? Or of so else entirely?

‘You look very lovely’

She started at his words—though he hardly sounded as if he meant them

‘So do you,’ she said anyway and the corner of his mouth curved a little

‘I’ve never been called lovely before’

‘Well, perhaps that is not the best adjective’

‘What is, then?’ He finally turned to her, but still she could see nothing in his eyes but faint amusement It scared her—that this man was her husband and she could not read hih he looked like the Edge she’d once known he was someone else entirely

She’d er