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The tension in Jasper’s shoulders increased Bringing Eliza to Westfield’s attention--and the reverse--was not so was there He res of animosity toward Miss Tolliver and he adht of him when he was several feet away Courtesy of her décolletage, he saw her breath catch and a gentle flush spread across her lu, and h hiht of him, yet he had not provoked that response from her with any effort on his part

He drew to a halt on the fringes of her circle A pathas made for him with obvious reluctance

"Miss Martin"

She lowered her gaze and curtsied "Good evening, Mr Bond"

Jasper obliged Westfield with the necessary introductions, then backed away For a while, he si inwardly when she spoke so bluntly those around her momentarily lost their way in the conversation As drae of appearance was, she was still Eliza While others spoke with great animation about the tale of her mishap at the Royal Acade the expanded tales with the actual reality She looked at hi to take cohts about how at ease shehis way blind

They were not so different More than anything, he was drawn to the affinity they shared in unexpected and deeply seated ways

In order to see him schooled properly, Jasper’s mother had paid for his education with her pride and her life He’d protested the expense, knohat it would cost her, but she would not be swayed In the end, he conceded only because he intended to support her, not for the reason she es-poused--to i his many bastard issue

Jasper blamed opium for his mother’s failure to see the hopelessness of her quest Certainly no one possessed of full mental faculty would hold the dream that a handsoender fondness and paternal pride in a dissolute reprobate like the late Earl of Montague Yes, Jasper ell-spoken and possessed of a refined sense of style He could read and write He was capable with nuh he lacked the fondness for them Eliza had In short, he should fit in, but he did not And he knew Eliza felt the sanaling an end to the orchestra’s short break Guests began to line up along the center of the parquet floor Eliza shot hi to be dancing his dance

She took to the floor with Sir Richard Tolliver Riveted by the elegant grace hich she glided across the rooown’s skirts were noticeably fuller than those worn by the other feht the style suited Eliza perfectly There were more layers to her thannotes of a waltz Eliza stepped nearer to Tolliver and clasped his hand With an accoan the requisite series of steps

Jasper frowned, thinking There had been two Tollivers at the Exhibition Hall They’d left the room shortly after Eliza and followed in her direction On Eliza’s list of suitors, Tolliver’s naue’s, in part because he had a sister who could use a dowry to secure aaway, Jasper expected the other sibling would be nearby He had only to find her

Chapter 6

"You are a vision this evening, Miss Martin," Sir Richard said, as they circled the dance floor along with the other couples

"Thank you" Eliza wondered if she should say more than that What did one say that wouldn’t sound aard? She always considered such praise to be a platitude She ell aware she was no classic beauty However, since she’d put effort into looking attractive this evening, it would be disingenuous to assume none of the co one of her owns