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“But it seems to me,” she added, “that the jewels must be hidden in her bedchamber”

“And ould you think that?”

“Where else would she put them?”

“Her dressing roo roouest bedroouest bedroom—”

“But where,” she cut in, looking rather annoyed with his sarcas everything to the areas of the house least visited by your grandfather Where better than her bedchamber?”

He eyed her thoughtfully and for long enough to make her blush Finally, he said, “We know he visited her there at least twice”

She blinked “Twice?”

“My father and ar,” he explained, even though she hadn’t asked

“Oh” That seemed to take the winds out of her sails At least momentarily “I’m sorry”

Gareth shrugged “It was a long tio, but thank you”

She nodded slowly, looking as if she wasn’t quite sure what to say now “Right,” she finally said “Well”

“Right,” he echoed

“Well”

“Well,” he said softly

“Oh, hang it all!” she burst out “I cannot stand this I a”