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Barely able to breathe, Hyacinth read on:

Anne seee is such a treasure Is it so terrible to admit that I am more happy when Richard isn’t here? It is such a joy to have all the persons I love so close…

Hyacinth scowled as she finished the entry There was nothing out of the ordinary there Nothing about a er, or an improper friend

She glanced up at Lady Danbury, whose head was now tilted aardly back Hera bit open, too

Hyacinth turned resolutely back to the diary, turning to the next entry, dated three months later

She gasped

Anne is carrying a child And we all know it cannot be Richard’s He has been away for two months Two months I am afraid for her He is furious But she will not reveal the truth

“Reveal it,” Hyacinth ground out “Reveal it”

“Enh?”

Hyacinth sla in her seat

“Why did you stop reading?” Lady D asked groggily

“I didn’t,” Hyacinth lied, her fingers holding the diary so tightly it was a wonder she didn’t burn holes through the binding “You fell asleep”

“Did I?” Lady Danburyold”

Hyacinth shtly

“Very well,” Lady D said with a wave of her hand She fidgeted a bit, ht, then back to the left again “I’et back to Miss Butterworth”