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"I think that perhaps my breakfast was on that tray, as well," he said

"Oh Yes, that would ht there was rather a lot of food there, but I was so hungry after last night's meal, I truly didn't stop to think"

"No harru quite loudly He winced "I'll just see to that tea And…ah…the extra biscuits"

Caroline coughed

Blake halted in his tracks and turned around "Miss Dent, are you also hungry?"

She smiled prettily "Famished We had a bit of aat all today"

"Oh dear!" Penelope cried out, clasping her hands over Caroline's "Hoful for you Blake, why don't you see if your cook can prepare so a bit more substantial than biscuits? If you think she's up to it, that is"

Caroline thought she ought to say soo to the trouble," but she was terrified that Penelope ht actually take her seriously

"Oh, and Blake!" Penelope called out

He halted in the doorway and turned around slowly, clearly irritated that he'd been detained yet again

"No soup"

He didn't even dignify that with an answer

"My brother can be a bit grumpy," Penelope said, once he'd disappeared froreed

"Oh, then you have a brother?"

"No," she said wistfully, "but I know people who do"

"Blake really isn't a bad sort," Penelope continued,for Caroline to sit down as she herself did so, "and even I must admit he's quite devilishly handso to play matchmaker? Oh, dear How impossibly ironic

"Don't you think?"

Caroline blinked and sat "I beg your pardon?"

"Don't you think that Blake is handsome?"

"Well, yes, of course Anyone would"

Penelope frowned, clearly not satisfied with that answer

Caroline was saved fro more by a small commotion in the hall She and Penelope looked up to see Mrs Mickle in the doorway, joined by a scowling Blake

"Are you satisfied now?" he gru, "I just wanted to be sure"