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?re glad I’m back?”

“Of course,” he said “Did you think I wanted to find that your father had been taken in by an imposter? Did you think I wanted to see him made a fool of?”

She looked away then, and he couldn’t see the hurt and disappointment in her eyes—not that he would have noticed Eyes were reputed to be s to the soul The Duke of Marchmont didn’t care to look that deep

That evening

Wearing a wry s opened the oval red velvet box Within lay a dia bracelet and earrings

“How beautiful,” she said She looked up at the olden topaz”

March’s taste was exquisite She was a slender brunette, with large, light brown eyes She knew exactly what becaolden topaz, set off with diamonds, suited her perfectly

His secretary, Osgood, as in charge of selecting suitable gifts for His Grace’s aood always kept several fine pieces of jewelry on hand, particularly the kind to be used as generous parting gifts, for His Grace was easily bored This was not a parting gift It was intended, in fact, to prevent that—until His Grace decided it was time to part

“I’ve taken on an a task that may keep me away for a short time,” Marchmont said

“Ah,” she said, her s a little

“An obligation to an old friend,” he said “I’ve agreed to bring his daughter into fashion—and perhaps find her a husband before the Season’s end”

“An old friend I see”

“You’ll read so about it in all the papers toh Alht”

“But you kneouldn’t be there to hear them,” she said

Lord Tarling’s handso as not on the patronesses’ list Lady Jersey had taken her in dislike

“I preferred you not learn about it from one of the cats ill be there,” he said, “or fro iether”

“It ift” She gave a little laugh Her silvery laugh was faht, than Lady Jersey’s tinkling laughter This was but one reason Lady Jersey loathed her

“I’ve taken Lord Lexha,” he said

She closed the box “But all of his daughters are launched and wed—” She broke off, the truth dawning She was, after all, both intelligent and well informed “You refer to the…”

He didn’t wait for her to hunt for a more tactful term “The Harem Girl, yes,” he said

“My goodness” She moved away frohtly clutching the box, he noted

“There’s going to be a ridiculous uproar tomorrow,” he said “Completely ridiculous, as the world will soon discover For the ti, discretion would be in order Miss Lexhaarded as respectable”

“And I am not well loved by soée ant the blessing of Almack’s lady patronesses, as well as the Queen”

Queen Charlotte didn’t like Lady Tarling, either

“It will not take long,” he said “By the time she’s presented at court, no one will turn a hair”

“You are very confident,” she said

“Oh, Zoe’s intelligent and beautiful,” he said “I’ve no doubt she’ll take It’sher a bit”

“Intelligent and beautiful,” Lady Tarling ain and studied the jewels therein “I see”

He didn’t knohat she saw, and it didn’t occur to hi hione as far as this only because their liaison had scarcely begun, and he wasn’t quite finished with her

It never dawned on hih to perceive this