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The door opened

And then, aainst the back wall, felt Gareth sag against her She wasn’t sure hoas they hadn’t been detected; probably Gareth had been better shielded by the clothing than she’d thought Or ht to look down for feet peeking out froht, or maybe…

Or maybe they were just damned lucky

They waited in silence until it was clear that the man had left the baroness’s office, and then they waited for a good five minutes more, just to be sure But finally, Gareth h the clothes to the closet door Hyacinth waited in back until she heard his whispered, “Let’s go”

She followed hih the house until they reached the ith the broken latch Gareth leapt down ahead of her, then held out his hands so that she could balance against the wall and pull theshut before hopping down to the ground

“Followher behind hih the streets of Mayfair Hyacinth tripped along behind hiripped her back in the closet was replaced by excitement

Exhilaration

By the time they reached Hay Hill, Hyacinth felt as if she was alhter, and finally, she had to dig in her heels and say, “Stop! I can’t breathe”

Gareth stopped, but he turned with stern eyes “I need to get you home,” he said

“I know, I know, I—”

His eyes widened “Are you laughing?”

“No! Yes I ht”

“You’re a madwoman”

She nodded, still grinning like a fool “I think so”

He turned on her, hands on hips “Have you no sense? We could have been caught back there That was my father’s butler, and trust me, he has never been in possession of a sense of humor If he had discovered us, aol, and your brother would have hauled us straight to a church”