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"You said to leave that aspect of the plan to you"

"Quite right I will lead, you will follow" He used the tone of voice that never failed to pull others into line He knew if he gave Eliza the slightest opportunity, she would run roughshod over him "Now, about how you acquired your information…?"

Her lips pursed Clearly she was not a woed Been allowed to run ae that about her, even if afforded the opportunity, but he also wouldn’t be led around by the nose

"I have a man of affairs," she said, "who makes discreet inquiries for me as necessary One cannot be too careful"

Jasper leaned back, settling into a comfortable position to better enjoy the conversation "And what sort of inforlean from these inquiries? Were you ue’s debts?"

"I know enough to be wary"

"Then why put him in such an elevated position on your list?"

"As I said, he is char and could certainly secure a better match than me I think he uses me to make other wo so attractive as a ue ed to hide it well And he is handsoaze narrowed, and she raked hiht and coloring Build, too, although he is not nearly as…broad"

It took great effort not to tense and betray his unease at her perceptiveness "And yet you claihtaway I was not like your other suitors at all"

"You have an astonishingly good memory, Mr Bond"

"Jasper"

She took a deep breath "Your sharp recollection is laudable…Jasper"

"Thank you, Eliza" He held back a satisfied sress "I’ve found the skill quite useful But I confess, I’m perplexed by your contradictory statements"

"I said there were similarities, but they are not overly evident" She didn’t intend for her perusal to be invigorating, but it most definitely was "He is handsome, yes As are you But you are flaht of you arrests the brain Whenever I initially catch sight of you, it takes a ratified you find " And relieved that the fraternal similarities she’d noted were so quickly dismissed

"Fustian I’m certain you must be accustomed to all the attention by now What is it like, by the way? Having people admire you when you enter a roos"

"Truly?"

"I aiven location or situation"

"Oh, I see" Eliza nodded "Yes, you are quite focused Intensely so It’s another trait distinguishing you"