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Miss Martin seemed to ponder his response for a moment In the brief time of introspection, Jasper collected what his instincts had recognized upon first sight: Eliza Martin was intensely aware of hi to him much the way his were to her: her delicate nostrils flared, her breathing quickened, her body swayed with the undercurrent of agitation…a doe sensing the hunter nearby

"Yes," she said, with a catch in her voice "I can see why that would be true"

"Of course it’s true I never lie to clients" He never bedded thee

"You have not been engaged," she reminded, "so I a hair intruded "Eliza, ue and be done with this farce"

With the voicing of that one name, Jasper knehy he’d received the referral and how little chance Eliza Martin had of dis him

"I will not be bullied, my lord," she said firmly

"Invite Mr Bond to sit, then"

"That won’t be necessary"

Skirting her, Jasper settled into the pew behind the one they occupied

"Mr Bond…" Miss Martin gave a resigned exhalation "My lord, may I present Mr Jasper Bond? Mr Bond, this is my uncle, the Earl of Melville"

"Lord Melville" Jasper greeted the earl with a slight bow of his head He knew of Melville as the head of the Tremaine family, a lot renowned for their eccentricities "I believe you will find hly suitable for any task in want of a thief-taker to e it"

Miss Martin’s blue eyes narrowed on hi to circumvent her "Sir, I am certain you are capable in most circumstances However--"

"About theback He disliked proceeding when there were still matters left unaddressed

"You are overly tenacious" She re, as if prepared to show him out

"An excellent trait to have in ate the rest"

"What rest?"

The earl’s gaze darted back and forth between them

She shook her head "Can we not simply leave it at that, Mr Bond?"