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She--a reasonable woman who prized her equanimity to the point of excessive caution--was faced with the realization that the only avenue she could bear taking was the iven Jasper her trust, and she would not take it back She couldn’t She loved hiht this for you"

Jasper turned away froarments were laid out for his selection He s room door His mentor held a folded square of white cloth in his hand When Jasper accepted it, he saw the letter L erandfather’s," Lynd explained, shoving his hands into the pockets of his overly elaborate coat of fine wool He rocked back on his heels in an uncustoesture "It was passed today"

TheLynd was the closest thing to a father he’d ever had It arded hiratitude aith a shaky hand

That telltale sign of deep eoaded Jasper to step forward and e, then back slapping

"Who would have thought you would ruff voice "And an earl’s niece in the bargain!"

Jasper set the kerchief carefully on his bed "I’m not certain I will believe it until the vows are said and the deed done"

"The chit is fortunate to have you If she has a brain in her head, she knows it"

"She’s the uile" Glancing around the room, Jasper remembered Eliza in the space "And passionate in ways one would not expect"

"I certainly would not expect it," Lynd hed

Lynd studied hied you I didn’t realize until this moment that this is a love match"

Jasper breathed deeply He hadn’t nas for Eliza Perhaps he’d been afraid to He wanted and needed her, and he could have her He’d been content with that

Turning away, he gestured at an enseray breeches, a silver-threaded waistcoat, and a charcoal gray coat "What do you think of this?"

Lynd drew abreast of hi less plain?"

Re Eliza’s commentary on Lynd’s need for a proper tailor, Jasper hid a smile and shook his head "I’m afraid not This is for you, you see I cannot have you better dressed than , can I?"

Wide-eyed, Lynd looked at hi?"

"I would not have the wedding without you Who will stand beside me, if not for you, my old friend?"

Lynd’s nose reddened, swiftly followed by his eyes

A knock came from the open doorway Jasper looked over his shoulder Patrick Crouch stood on the threshold with the top of his head nearly touching the lintel "There is a wo anyone today, but she ht I should tell you"