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She crossed her ar to say that”

He flexed and bent his fingers, the carefully controlledat her The world was turning a dangerous shade of red, and all he could think of was the i across Mayfair, by herself, only to be attacked, mauled—

“I’round out

Hell, if anyone was going to attack or ht as well be him

But she was just shaking her head, not listening to anything he was saying “Gareth, I have to—”

“No,” he said forcefully “Not a word Don’t say a word Just sit there—” He blinked, realizing that she was standing, then pointed at the bed “Sit there,” he said, “quietly until I figure out what the hell to do with you”

She sat, and for once she didn’t look as if she was going to open her

Which ured out that he had chosen that night to return to Clair House for one last search for the jewels Heone of their recent conversations He would have liked to think that he was more careful than that, but Hyacinth was fiendishly clever, and if anyone could have deduced his intentions, it would be her

It was a damn fool endeavor in his opinion; he didn’t have a clue where the diaht be save for Hyacinth’s theory about the baroness’s bedchao, and he must have had a ht, because here he was, heading out to Clair House for the third time that month

He glared at her

She smiled serenely

Sending hie That was it That was absolutely—

“All right,” he said, his voice so loas alht here and right now”

Her spine stiffened “I beg your pardon”

“When we are married, you will not exit the house without my permission—”