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"Depends on what else you are in pursuit of I am not blind I see the way you look at her"

"I am not blind either"

"Cheeky fellow," she admonished, but there was a twinkle in her eye "What are your intentions?"

He stared at a painting nigh the size of his curricle and mulled over his reply In the end, he circumvented the question "I want her to be safe and happy"

And yet his "intentions," such as they were, ht very well put her safety and happiness at risk For her, there norance of softer emotions Already their association had caused her to feel bewildered and to act against sound reasoning

"Excellent sentiht I suggest you pay your addresses sooner, rather than later? It would be lovely for her to enjoy a feeeks of the Season as an affianced woman"

The tension in Jasper’s shoulders returned, but for a different reason Speaking carefully, he answered, "I am not certain she would be best served withertips into his forearers the number of times I have seen Eliza sreed, feeling more than a little triumph that she’d sest you leave the determination of what makes Eliza feel safe and happy to her Speculation is necessary in business, but in affairs of the heart, it often leads to poor judgments"

"I will take that under advisement"

Her mouth curved on one side "I can see what she likes about you, Mr Bond You listen I suspect you don’t always act on what you’ve heard, but you listen in any case"

They returned to the entrance and she released him Jasper bowed, then ducked out of the rooain by Lord Westfield, as a few feet away fro blonde on his arm

"Why, Bond," Westfield called out "Where are you running off to?"

His lordship leaned down and whispered so to his co in a way that pros Shehim to speak to Jasper

"Miss Martin left the rooo," Jasper said

"And you are following her with notable eagerness"

"I have been waylaid twice now" His glare made it clear who the second delay was