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After you stole his

In Henry’s view, the worst of West Ravenel’s offenses had been stealing his copy of Stephen Ar: Treasure Hunter froh there had never been proof of the thief’s identity, Henry had remembered that Ravenel had previouslyit I know he’s the one, Henry had written He’s probably done so aith it Dropped it down the privy I’d be surprised if the nincompoop can even read

“So,” Phoebe had written in response, full of righteous vengeance, “we’ll go thrash hiether and take it back from him”

But now she was sitting next to him at dinner

“—after he lost his copy,” she finished aardly She watched as a footlasses

“How did he—” Mr Ravenel began, and stopped with a frown He ain “When I was a boy, there was a book—” Another pause, and he tried to angle his body more toward hers

“Mr Ravenel,” Phoebe asked, puzzled, “are you quite all right?”

“Yes It’s only—there’s a problem” He scowled down at his trousers

“A proble your lap?” she asked dryly

He replied in an exasperated whisper “As a matter of fact, yes”

“Really” Phoebe wasn’t certain whether to be amused or alarmed “What is it?”

“The wo”

Stealthily Phoebe leaned forward to peek around him at the culprit “Isn’t that Lady Colwick?” she whispered “The one whose ht etiquette to Pandora and Cassandra?”

“Yes,” he said curtly “It appears she neglected to teach it to her daughter”

From what Phoebe understood, Dolly, Lady Colwick, had recentlyaffairs behind his back with her fors-on that had resulted in an accidentalbetween Pandora and Gabriel in the first place

Mr Ravenel flinched irritably and reached beneath the table to push away the unseen, exploring hand

Phoebe understood his dileeous behavior, he would be bla the lady Moreover, the lady could easily deny it, and people would be far more inclined to believe her

All along the table, footne Deciding to take advantage of the stir of activity, Phoebe said to Mr Ravenel, “Lean forward, please”

His brows lifted slightly, but he obeyed

Reaching across the broad expanse of his back, Phoebe prodded Lady Colwick’s bare upper arave her a lance She was very pretty, her dark hair pinned up in an ornate lets interwoven with ribbons and pearls The brows over her heavy-lashed eyes had been carefully plucked into a pair of perfect thin crescents, like a china doll’s A thick rope of pearls, weighted with dialittered around her neck

“My dear,” Phoebe said pleasantly, “I can’t help but notice that you keep trying to borrow Mr Ravenel’s napkin Do take this one” She extended her own napkin to the young woan to reach for it reflexively

In the next instant, however, Lady Colwick snatched her hand back “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about”

Phoebe wasn’t deceived A guilty blush had infused the young woman’s cheeks, and the set of her rosebud lips had turned distinctly sullen “Must I explain?” she asked very softly “This gentle poked and pried like an oyster at Billingsgate Market while he tries to have his dinner Kindly keep your hands to yourself”

Lady Colwick’s eyes narrowed balefully “We could have shared him,” she pointed out, and turned back to her plate with a disdainful sniff

A hter came from the row of footmen behind them

Mr Ravenel leaned back in his chair Without turning, he gestured over his shoulder and murmured, “Jerome”

One of the footmen approached and leaned down to him “Sir?”