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"Oh, no," she said, her handto her one out on aof the sort" James paused to wipe a bit of sweat froo, utterly forbade her, but she was never the sort to listen to ultihed and told hi"

Caroline sed, but the motion did little to ease the lump in her throat "At least her family could take solace in the fact that she died for her country," she offered

James shook his head "They didn't know They were told--everyone was told--that Marabelle had been killed in a hunting accident"

"I--I don't knohat to say"

"There's really nothing to say Or do That's the proble on some spot on the horizon, then asked, "Do you remember when I said you reminded inning to dawn in her eyes "Oh, no…not her"

James nodded "I'm not certain why, but you do"

She bit her lip and stared at her feet Dear God, was that why Blake had kissed her? Because she somehow resembled his dead fiancée? She suddenly felt very snificant And very undesirable

"It's really nothing," James said, clearly concerned by her unhappy expression

"I would never take a risk like that," Caroline said firmly "Not if I had someone to love" She sed "Not if I had someone who loved me"

James touched her hand "It's been a lonely time for you these past few years, hasn't it?"

But Caroline wasn't ready for sympathetic comments "What happened to Blake?" she asked sharply "After she died"

"He was devastated Drunk for three months He blamed himself"

"Yes, I'm sure he would He's the sort to take responsibility for everyone, isn't he?"

James nodded

"But surely he realizes now that it wasn't his fault"

"In his head, perhaps, but not in his heart"

There was a long pause while they both stared at the ground When Caroline finally spoke, her voice was soft and unnaturally tentative "Do you really think he thinks I look like her?"

James shook his head "No And you don't look like her Marabelle was quite blond, actually, with pale blue eyes and--"

"Then why did you say--"

"Because it's rare to meet a wo, Jarinned and added, "That was a compli that was halfway between a grimace and a wry s such a beast"

"Consider the situation froht you were a traitor, the very breed of vermin who'd killed Marabelle Then he found himself in the position of your protector, which can only remind him of how he failed his fiancée"