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"Thirst…yes" It was clear the earl was eance Jasper chose not to correct the assu from the chair, the earl polished off the last of his brandy "I will continue to assist you in your quest for revenge, Bond You are not alone in this endeavor, whether you appreciate that or not"

Hoell the earl knew hi dependent upon anyone "You’ve done reatest wish realized"

"I’rim "You are the one who has interceded in every investht have saved hiaainst him You are the one who has worked tirelessly for years to earn enough to squander a fortune to ruin hier you, Bond You aren’t a very nice fellow to those you dislike"

"You are too honorable athat would completely alienate me" With a smile, Jasper tossed the earl’s words back at hi that or not"

"Good God, don’t make that statement within earshot of others, please" The earl looked at the clock "Should I return at ten o’clock to begin our shadowing of Miss Martin?"

Jasper considered the time It was shortly after five "Let’s make it eleven, shall we?"

"You will hear no coress "I’ve spent more time with you over the last few days than I have with a wo"

"I should hope not," Jasperthe earl out to the hall en route to his roo you to followin some female companionship yourself It would be a relief to find you less surly this evening"

Jasper paused with his foot on the botto the now familiar thrum of anticipation he felt whenever time with Eliza approached "Don’t feel the need to be excessively ti the staircase two steps at a ti from a man who is a stickler for punctuality?" Westfield called after hiht the Melville ht that was apt, too

Eliza wondered what the house looked like froe in the li ed her expeditiously through an iron gate and along a cobblestone pathway bisecting a garden that was i the severity of the rear lahen Jasper appeared A shiver of delightinto the house, his broad shoulders and tall fraht His stance ide, allowing light to shine between his legs, detailing the length and power of his thighs He was fully dressed, but the expert fit of his breeches left nothing to the iht of aFrom theand significant physical response to his proxied by every heated look and every casual touch

"Eliza" There was so intiained the first stair leading up froloveless and looked so strong and capable She decided she loved his hands

She tugged off her glove before she accepted his assistance, wanting to feel the warmth of his skin A frisson of heated awareness htened for aup at him from beneath the hood of her cloak, she noted the stark austerity of his handsorave