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“Why don’t you send hiested “Request that he pay you a visit He is a gentleman, and you are his fiancée He would never refuse”

“No,” Hyacinthfor advice—“ould I say?”

It was a silly question Violet didn’t even knohat the problem was, so how could she know the solution? And yet, so

“Say whatever is in your heart,” Violet said Her lips twisted wryly “And if that doesn’t work, I suggest that you take a book and knock him over the head with it”

Hyacinth blinked, then blinked again “I beg your pardon”

“I didn’t say that,” Violet said quickly

Hyacinth felt herself smile “I’m rather certain you did”

“Do you think?” Violether own smile with her teacup

“A large book,” Hyacinth queried, “or small?”

“Large, I think, don’t you?”

Hyacinth nodded “Have we The Complete Works of Shakespeare in the library?”

Violet’s lips twitched “I believe that we do”

So very close to laughter And it felt so good to feel it again

“I love you, Mother,” she said, suddenly consumed by the need to say it aloud “I just wanted you to know that”

“I know, darling,” Violet said, and her eyes were shining brightly “I love you, too”