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“Yes…me!”

Chapter 4

Callie froze where she stood, her heart a pounding roar in her ears It was Viscount Sherbrooke How handsoundy waistcoat His hair wasHow rakish it made him look! He was one of the ton’s most elusive marital catches, and the scandal sheets featured him often With an effort of will, sheyour pardon, Viscount Sherbrooke, I wasn’t aware there was soreat delicacy

“Evidently,” he said with an icy bite “I believe you had preferred to conduct your outrageous plots in secrecy”

His stare was a tangible thing, reaching out to touch her Yet it was not a tender look, solare

“Outrageous plots?” she asked softly “What outrageous plot?”

His brow arched in sharp disbelief “Ah, so even when caught you think to play the long game”

The door to the conservatory closed She glanced over her shoulder, and noted herthe viscount, she took a steady breath and lifted her chin to ard

“I aame”

She could see the dangerous glitter in his narrowed eyes, but she refused to give in to the urge to step back Then his words ca to ensure that my father does not marry that woman!’

“Whatever do youyou’ll ensure your father does not hly affronted

“I believe I was clear, Miss Middleton My father deserves hter to entrap hiled with civility and condescension

“Ma of the sort! And I only fanned the flame which had already been lit A blind man could have sensed the attachment between the pair”

It galled Callie unspeakably that heto rip apart her mother’s happiness

“And do you really think I would believe youract you’re putting on?” he drawled “Spare h ti to marry into our family’s wealth”