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“I don’t know I know only what I saw and heard,” was the grudging response
“Oh, please, don’t be angry with ed “I’m sorry I was nasty, but I was—” She hesitated
“Was what?” he asked testily
She bit her lip and dropped her eyes “I was embarrassed”
Her frankness was disar and Jack was, in spite of hihtest bit repentant or troubled and his heart went out to her, in spite of his brain’s warnings that she was a consu hi, because he just wouldn’t listen
Suppressing a sigh, he told her he was not angry, only anxious They had better hurry back to find out if they could whether his suspicions were founded in fact
With a nod, Miss Desed her horse on, and the two hast
ened back to the house
“Oh, Lord,” Delilah cried as they arrived, panting, at the book’s grave site The flower bed looked as though it had been bombarded with cannon
“If he did find it,” said Jack, “it was obviously not on the first atte in the right place”
“Well, I’ down the path towards the potting shed, but Jack stopped her
The gardener, he told her, was already beside himself Jenkins would not remain quietly elsewhere if anyone set foot in his domain with a spade in hand Furthermore, he’d be sure to inform Lady Potterby, and how did Miss Desarden?
“I’ll make some excuse,” she answered impatiently
“You have no s They’re obviously destroyed”
“So I’ whether the manuscript is already on its way to print?” she cried
“I wish you’d keep your voice down,” Jack warned “Do strive for a little patience, Miss Des first thing I’ll report to you”
“No, you will not I can search tonight myself—”
“You ing in the garden? Are you ain— or he may send someone better adapted to such labour You don’t knoho you ainst”
Delilah glared at hi my pistol”
“This is no enterprise for a lady”
“Since I’m obviously not—”
“Miss Desmond, I just told you I’d see to it—and I’ll see to it ht I shall—” He paused briefly, then in steely tones went on, “I shall spank you”
Delilah stared at him As usual, his hair was untidy and his clothes had subsided into their custo state At the er It was positively feudal The eyes gazing down his long, aristocratic nose at her were as steely as his voice, and the set of his jaas the very model of dictatorial obstinacy