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Aline couldn’t help contrasting hiht and wrong, good and bad--and her mouth curved with a bittersweet smile "Adam, dear, I’ve considered your proposal over the past few days…"

"Yes?" They stopped once again, facing each other with their hands linked

"I can’t accept," she said "It would be unfair to both of us I suppose that if I can’t have a real e, I should be happy with an ienuine friendship with you than a counterfeit litter of unhappiness in her eyes, Adairl," he enuine friend until e, you have only to snap your fingers" He smiled wryly "I’ve found that imitations can sometimes beco"

Seventeen

Livia had spent approxi with sufficient parcels and boxes to lend credence to the clai expedition The fe soh-crowned hat triloves that had been embroidered and beaded at the wrists…shawls of lace, cashmere, and silk,…a sheaf of sketches and fabric saowns for her

Naturally, Susan Chamberlain asked if Livia had seen Mr Shaw and McKenna while she was in London, and Livia replied with breezy offhandedness "Oh yes, htful evening with them at the Capitol Theater Box seats, and an excellent view of the stage--ere positively transported!"

However, no reeted by arched brows and pointedly exchanged gazes Everyone, it seemed, suspected that there was fartold

Aline had heard the details of the London visit as soon as Livia had returned She went to Livia’s bedroohtclothes, and the two of theainst one of the massive carved bedposts, while Livia settled back into the pillows "I ith hi," she told Aline, her cheeks flushed "Seven nights of absolute heaven"

"He’s a good lover, then?" Aline asked with a smile, not above a little prurient curiosity

"The , the most…" Unable to think of the precise superlative she wanted, Livia sighed and sipped her wine Regarding Aline over the delicate rie it is that he could be so different from Amberley, and yet suit me just as well Perhaps even better in so toin her chest, happy for her sister, and yet at the sa how far away A honest with herself, she would have to ad to knohy she too couldn’t have what she most wanted

"He proposed to me, actually," Livia said Then she astonished Aline further by adding bleakly, "I turned hiaze locking with Livia’s as an entire silent conversation see breath, she looked down and traced the edge of her wineglass with her fingertip "I’h not an easy one to make"

"No, it wasn’t" They sat in silence for ato ask about McKenna?"

Aline stared into her glass "How is he?"

"Quiet So sounded in Aline’s uilt in Livia’s cautious ad "What do you e sine "It turned out quite well, actually," she said guardedly "At least, it didn’t turn out badly, although one can’t be certain how he reacted to--"

"Livia, out with it!" Aline de cold with anxiety "What did you tell hilance "I finally brought ize to hio You knohen I told Father about--"

"Livia, you shouldn’t have," Aline said, too furious and fearful to shout, her throat constricting to one thin channel Her hands quivered so violently that her as in danger of spilling

"There’s no reason to be upset," Livia said, infuriating her further "I didn’t breakabout your accident, or the scars I just told him about my part in the matter, and about how our father manipulated everyone, and…well, I did happen to mention that you sent him away to protect him, because Father had threatened to harm him--"

"What? I never wanted him to know that My God, Livia, what have you done?"

"I only told him a little part of the truth" It seemed that Livia was torn between defiance and repentance, her face flushing brightly "I’m sorry if I’ve upset you But as they say, honesty is the best policy, and in this case--"

"I’ve never said that!" Aline exploded "That is themaxim in existence, and it is most definitely not the best policy in this situation Oh, Livia, don’t you realize how difficult you’veto be to part froain, now that he knows--" She broke off suddenly "When did you tell hiht I was in London"

Aline closed her eyes sickly The flowers had arrived two days after that So that hy McKenna had sent the gifts, and the poem "Livia, I could kill you," she whispered

Evidently deciding to go on the offensive, her younger sister spoke decisively "I don’t see what is so terrible about re one of the obstacles between you and McKenna The only thing left to do now is for you to tell hilare "That will never happen"