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han they had first appeared “Will you never leave off about my chosen career?”

“Well, you were going to be a co pink in the candlelight

Linus Radley chipped Walter’s shoulder with a fist “Wasn’t it sculpture?”

Valentine Merton cleared his throat “No, you are wrong on both counts Our Haas going to be a world renowned painter of beautiful, scantily clad courtesans and actresses were you not?”

That young and carefree man was but a di does not pay the piper A man must earn his way in the world”

He deliberately kept his gaze fro but chase the next game or other sources of excitement While their friends had each found ereat or s productive with his days

Davidto a stop behind Valentine to observe the ga

“Swi his head back to make eye contact

David raised an eyebrow “Is there another way to start the day in Brighton?”

Val twisted in his seat and ran his gaze over David froht have stayed in to rest You’ve lost weight since I saw you last”

It was true, though David didn’t like to adht that his clothes were roo hours and he frequently lost track of tiry Aside frohton he would relax, eat well, and take some exercise

The sideboard was littered with half-e stomach reminded him he’d barely eaten since breakfast “Merely lost e If anything, the younger rown even more round since last sue’s direction “Unlike some”

“He’s swi quite proficient at it, too” Val leaned closer “Yesterday, I stopped checking that he hadn’t sunk to the bottom”

David chuckled but weariness o ho while they swalad to have finally reached his destination

He cleared his throat “Gentleame Merely wanted to let you know I’ve arrived and pay my respects”

Although they protested he should stay, David waved a hand as he strode to the door

“Swi tomorrow?” Peter Watson called loudly before David left the room

He halted and turned slowly, looking at his friend Peter appeared anxious—he had every right to be David forced a smile to his face “I wouldn’t miss it”

When he arrived at the front door, his hat, gloves and his bag had been taken away He looked for his possessions

“Good evening, Mr Hawke”

CHAPTER TWO

The sweet feht a s woher than his chest, stepped from the dimly-lit parlor “Miss Watson I did not see you there How do you do this evening?”

If David had seen her first, he ht have been better prepared for her brilliant srow to adulthood was lovely in cream muslin Soft brown hair matched the calmness of her eyes, delicate sun-touched skin froail Watson had grown to be a beauty; she fairly took his breath away