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"Six of them?" he asked doubtfully

"I'm quite literate"

"I never doubted that"

She pursed her lips, wanting to say that she was electing to read so that she ain, but she had a feeling that would lead to a long, drawn-out argu else you desired, Mr Ravenscroft?"

Then she blushed, really blushed He'd ht before what he desired

He waved his hand expansively--a ," he said "Nothing at all If you want to read, be uest Read the whole bloody library if it suits you If nothing else, it will keep you out of trouble"

She bit back another retort, but it was growing difficult toher books to her chest, she asked, "Has the ?"

Blake's expression darkened before he said, "He's gone"

"Gone?"

"Gone" And then, as if she couldn't grasp the one"

"But where would he go?"

"I io just about anywhere that would remove him from our company But as it happens, he went to London"

Her lips parted in shock "But that leaves us alone"

"Quite alone," he agreed, holding out a sheet of paper "Would you like to read his note?"

She nodded, took the note into her hands, and read:

Ravenscroft--

I have gone to London for the purpose of alerting Moreton to our plans I have brought with me the copy of Prewitt's file I realize this leaves you alone with Caroline, but truly, that is noat Seacrest Manor with the both of us

Besides which, the two of you were driving me mad

--Riverdale

Caroline looked up at him with a wary expression "You can't like this situation"

Blake pondered her statement No, he didn't "like" this situation He didn't "like" having her under his roof, just an ar that the object of his desire was his for the taking James hadn't been ed her reputation should word of their uncoet out--but he'd at least created a buffer between Blake and Caroline All that was now standing between him and the end of this damned frustration and lust was his own conscience