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Mrs Hawthorne laughed softly “You, sir, are the very best co me company”

“Happy to be of service,” he promised

“Oh, are you still here?” Natalia Hawthorne appeared at his side, hand extending to take the cup of punch intended for her, displeasure turning down her lips “Thank you”

He handed over the glass without a word

Miss Hawthorne stared at hi “You don’t have to linger today”

“You rinned “I am happy to observe that all the scoundrels seem to have avoided th

e wake”

“That is nothing to be happy about,” Miss Hawthorne grumbled quietly “I can’t very well reform a rake if none of them show up to start with”

He nodded solicitously Refor a husband is never easy, I hear”

“Indeed you are correct,” Mrs Hawthorne murmured “The best spouses are often the most difficult to catch”

“So everyone tells me” Gideon wasn’t quite sure what sort of character deserved to catch Miss Hawthorne, but thought he’d better have patience to spare The woentlemen quite openly

Why had Lady Jessica Westfall, the daughter of his best friend, the Duke of Stapleton, begged him to help Natalia secure a husband while she ay in London enjoying her first season? Had it been purely to torture him from afar?

Most likely—although she probably didn’t see it that way

Mrs Hawthorne craned her neck to look about the rooain “I have not seen Mrs Napier’s sister yet I was sure Mrs Beck would make an appearance”

Gideon frowned “Who?”

Mrs Hawthorne clucked her tongue “Mrs Napier’s ed sister has come to live with her at last I told you all about it last hen you called Such a tragedy to lose a husband at such a young age, and she has two sons in need of a father’s steadying influence, too”

“Oh, yes” Napier had his hands full, and Gideon did reht about the matter, but he hardly knew those involved to feel the same level of concern as Mrs Hawthorne apparently did He held out his hand for her elass “So very sad If you would excuse me?”

“Yes, yes You go off, but of course we must stay for poor Mrs Grieves’ sake”

He accepted Miss Hawthorne’s e a move toward the refreshment table, and the doorway that led to freedo into Mrs Napier before he achieved his goal

“Mr Whitfield!” she exclaimed excitedly