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Having had an unsatisfactorily short and not altogether enlightening conversation with hera circular path in the parlour carpet She was not fitted by nature to endure suspense with her mother’s tranquillity That lady had, to Delilah’s utter incredulity, retired to her chaht, like everyone else, it seenorance of the plots being hatched below

Delilah was still not altogether clear on just what the plot was, because her mama had looked ready to drop from exhaustion Baffled as Delilah had been, she’d tried to be considerate, and refrained frodon would explain when they returned, her one for the manuscript and had no doubt of success

Still, that was hours ago Surely they ought to be back by now unless they had failed The thought was h Delilah had don with his excessive caution, she did hope he had not been reckless Papa was accustoling out of aard situations Mr Langdon had no such experience Oh, where was he?

She heard the door knocker then and abruptly sat down Whatever else happened, she would show Mr Langdon she had as much poise and self-control as any other lady She folded her hands tightly in her lap and waited

To her disappointment, Lord Berne was announced As he entered the roohtily to erase all evidence of vexation from her countenance

Fortunately, Lady Potterby had accos and small talk, Delilah took herself in hand She was pleased to see him, she told herself How could she not be, when he looked so ihtly windblown, but all else so elegant, sleek, and graceful

“Indeed, the weather is fine today,” he was agreeing with his hostess “There is not a whisper of a cloud in the heavens Since these opportunities will be too rare in the co weeks, I hastened here in hopes Miss Desive the short notice,” he added, bestowing an affectionate glance upon the young lady

Lady Potterby was even less inforrand-niece was, for her family had naturally supposed her nerves could not bearfor Lord Berne to come up to scratch There was no other possible way to interpret his behaviour of the past three or four weeks, regardless what Angelica said At the h he were about to burst with souess what that was Today He’d offer today

To her surprise, her grand niece appeared most hesitant Still, her ladyship reflected, that was the ith girls Bold as brass one rew serious, overco, that was all

“You could do with soed with unusual firmness “You have been too pale these past few days, which I am sure is because you do not take the air His lordship is h Ilook, “not to keep her long She has an appointment with her dressmaker”

Lord Berne soleood time for her appointment

Miss Desmond smiled weakly and consented

At least, Delilah thought as the carriage reached the park gates, this was so, certainly, and far better than working herself into a pet because her parents and Mr Langdon had kept secrets froiven her parents much opportunity to do otherwise For nearly a don, why should he tell her anything, when all she ever did was pick on him

She was abruptly jolted from these reflections when Lord Berne, who had been uncharacteristically ue

“Miss Deso I made you a promise,” he said, his voice low and rather unsteady “I have kept it”

She turned a baffled glance upon hi your pardon?”

“The ot them at last”

He shifted the reins to one hand and reached under the seat As he drew out a thick package, Delilah experienced a curious sinking sensation More curious still was the reluctance hich she took the parcel fro

“I don’t understand,” she said, as her eye fell upon the title page “This is not possible How—” She broke off as she flicked through the pages and saw this was indeed her father’s work

“It was very nearly impossible, Miss Desotten myself in a—a bit of trouble as a consequence”

What rong? she asked herself She’d been certain she’d never know a moment’s peace until the as back in her possession Here it was, and she felt nearly ill This was undoubtedly her father’s hand—though the lines seemed uncharacteristically shaky Or was that her vision? To her chagrin she discovered her eyes were swi She blinked back the tears and made her belated answer

“I’m sorry I didn’t knohat to say I was just so—so surprised,” she ly kind of you Thank you I cannot tell you what a relief it is” Then his last words penetrated “Trouble?” she asked, aze “What do you mean?”

“I had to use et thes with hi to hear from my father by now, and when he does not, he’ll seek him out—and I shall be found out”