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“Thank you,” she netism of him

Her eyes widened when instead of leaving, he sank into the sofa beside her Her pulse galloped, and she poured soer? He had always excused hi assured she was comfortable

She threw hiers around the stea the warmth The sensual lines of his mouth curved as he looked at her He was so sinfully handsome and darkly seductive, he took her breath Her wo heat stained her cheeks

“You have been withdrawing anizes our nuptials She informed me that she tried to plan your trousseau today, but you objected,” he said, his gaze not leaving her face

Wariness crept through her as she racious, and I feel awful for being so boorish But I needed a fewensconced in the library for hours” She set her teacup down and clasped her hands

He glanced at the folded letter beside her on the sofa “Is that one of Maxwell’s letters?”

She winced and snatched up the letter, then cruive me…”

“Please do not, Emmeline”

She sed at how he said her name He always used her full nahed “Yes, it is There are times when I am compelled to read them all It is as if I cannot stop myself,” she admitted

A look of regret slashed his face and then disappeared She frowned, conteretful about

“A day does not pass that Ithat you re about Maxwell I kno much you loved him”

She nodded She glanced frolass s that replaced half of the other wall, to the royal purple drapes, and finally to thea coward, then aze “I cannot seem to escape the pain that is bottled inside I lament that Maxas taken from me From us”

Marcellus shifted closer “It has only been three reater than I Screa and intent

She ss he roused in her Looking at him always made her feel hot and shivery all at once, which made her feel as if she had betrayed her beloved in soht in the war

“I doubt I could have loved Maxwell more,” she said firmly “I understood how close you were But I thank you for such kind sentiments, Marcellus”