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“Yes,” was the entle”

“Very well” Holding the voluo Hellcat Beldam”

She winced

“Is that enough?” he asked

She shook her head

Jack thought “Terant,” he said

“Yes”

“Shrew, fury, tigress, she-wolf Ah, here’s an excellent one: cross-patch”

Miss Desled weakly and raised her pale face towards him

“Shall I commence in Latin or Greek, or is that sufficient?”

“That will do, Mr Langdon I feel ive me the book”

Jack’s face fell and he backed away He was, of course, a gentle to assist a da, that is, except relinquish a book before he’d finished reading it Especially this book, which was a revelation to him

“But Miss Desh it,” he said uneasily “Your father’s hand is not always decipherable”

Her slanted eyes narrowed “Sir, that work is not intended for public consuerated patience of one addressing a half-wit “I auess it was his idea of a perfect hiding place He has used that false binding before,” she explained “Greek is unenticing to the average person The topic is even less inviting The couaranteed to drive off all potential readers Except,” she added with a sh, “you”

“I see” He gazed disconsolately at the volume “I had better put it back” He turned towards the shelves

“No!” she cried “You ive it to me It’s obviously not safe here”

“Of course it is,” he said, growing stubborn “Lord Streetha but political tracts Tony is interested only in sporting journals The countess is addicted to gothics As you said, no one but I would evera volume Your father obviously knehat he was about Besides, I ht still finish it”

“No! I don’t want you to read any more,” she blurted out

Though he was convinced Miss Desuilty Unbalanced or not, she should not be torlisten then, and he was undone He had never in his life made a woman cry, and he was certain this woman was not one to weep easily He felt like a monster

He took a step towards her then paused She wanted the book, not co, and it was not his place to comfort her anyhow—not at least in the way he’d instinctively wished to

“I do beg your pardon,” he said quietly “I’ve beenthis wonderful story and not—”

“And not about entertaining the ladies, eh, Mr Langdon?” came a low voice from the doorway

Chapter Four

Miss Desmond whirled round “Papa,” she breathed

Her father was glancing over his shoulder into the hall “In here, Marcus,” he said intones “As her ladyship prodon from eyestrain”

Mr Desmond stepped into the library An instant later, Lord Streetham appeared

“Ah, still here,” said the earl to Jack “My lady wife tellsyour meals Won’t do, you know You must relinquish your books and tend to the ladies at least, if you will not attend to your victuals” He glanced at the voluot there? Greek? You are a sorry rogue, indeed What do you ith such dusty stuff?”

“Mr Langdon does not find the work at all dull,” said Delilah smoothly when Jack provedit to me How remarkable, is it not, that he understands Greek so well, to be able to translate such complicated horticultural theories?”