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"I think my best chances lie with Dr Harrow" Win ss he couldn't say "I'll come back to you I promise"

He ignored that Any atteht was always met with rock-hard resistance He would never ad other than a fragile invalid who needed his protection A butterfly under glass

While he went on with his private pursuits

Despite Merripen's discretion in personal matters, Win was certain there had been iven hi bleak and angry rose fro with someone else It would shock everyone who knew her, had they understood the power of her desire for him It would probably shock Merripen most of all

Seeing his expressionless face, Win thought, Very well, Kev If this is what you want, I'll be stoic We'll have a pleasant, bloodless good-bye

Later she would suffer in private, knowing it would be an eternity until she saw hi like this, forever together and yet apart, her illness always between them

"Well," she said briskly, "I'll be off soon And there's no need to worry, Kev Leo will take care ofthe trip to France, and-"

"Your brother can't even take care of hi You'll stay here, where I can-"

He bit off the words

But Win had heard a note of souish, buried in his deep voice

This was getting interesting

Her heart began to thump "There…" She had to pause to catch her breath "There's only one thing that could stop "

He shot her an alert glance "What is it?"

It took her a long e to speak "Tell me you love me Tell me, and I'll stay"

The black eyes widened The sound of his indrawn breath cut through the air like the doard arc of an ax stroke He was silent, frozen

A curious h Win as she waited for his reply

"I… care for everyone in your family…"

"No You know that's not what I' for" Win moved toward hi her pal h hie in her own voice, "I wouldn't care if I died tomorrow, if I could just hear it once-"