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She sighed “Very well, I’ll ride But only back to El”

As hehim to er to take the reins,” she said, cli up easily

“That’s better,” he said as, to the great annoyance of his cattle, he turned the curricle once ht satisfy my curiosity more comfortably On another topic, I mean,” he added quickly as her eyes narrowed “What is all this about your reputation? What harm is there in a short drive in broad day, even with a libertine?”

“That should be obvious”

He only looked baffled

“My parents,” she said impatiently

“What has that to do with you? You haven’t joined a theatre troupe or carried on a series of dazzling escapades and love affairs Quite the opposite You’ve been exceedingly decorous, and I can’t tell you how depressing I find that” He shook his head sorrowfully “You wouldn’t even drive with room I hope you won’t think me vain, Miss Desmond, if I tell you no one has ever done that before”

“Well, I’m here now,” she said “Pray be as vain as you like”

“I can’t I’ to call htless”

“I would not refine upon it too much, My Lord Lady Potterby will not allow you past the doorstep anyhow If weseen, then I may escape this unscathed”

She felt his gaze upon her As she turned toin his eyes, but it was gone in an instant, and she could not tell what it was

“Miss Des indignant “People have no right to judge you by your parents, even if they were right in judging your parents so harshly—which I do not accept, either”

“In the abstract, perhaps they have no right, but this is the real world In the real world, Lady Potterby’s neighbours want nothing to do with her while Papa and I are about I had not expected to be welcoht at least one or two peopleme” She smiled cynically “I was mistaken”

“Jealousy,” he said “Envy That’s what it is— and a deal of hypocrisy besides”

She shrugged

They drove on in silence for a while, the viscount appearing lost in thought Then, as they were turning into the drive leading to Elmhurst, Lord Berne spoke

“I wonder what the world would think,” he said, “if the Devil’s daughter reformed the libertine”

She stared at him

“Reflect, Miss Desard a woman who could make me mend my wicked ways?”

She considered “I daresay she would be proposed for sainthood The job is worth half a dozen lesser miracles, I’m sure”

“Then I recommend you be , you know The miracle can be accomplished,” he promised, “because I mean to help you Miss Desmond, I wish to be reformed”

“And I should like to be Queen of Egypt”

“I a smile “You have no idea how much you’ve alarmed ain? You tellif I come to the house, and I cannot possibly expect to happen on you in the road every tiley I must be reformed because there appears to be no alternative”

She could not help s in return He was not to be trusted, but she appreciated charm, and that he had in abundance All the same, she pointed out rather sternly that his motives did not seem remotely saintlike

“My motives are selfish, Miss Desmond,” he said softly, “and selfishness is always to be relied upon”