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Puzzled, s

he let Pomeroy direct her doide corridor towards the archway that led into Max’s suite of roo a pool of soft light In the candlelight the furnishings glowed, and there was the unmistakable smell of lemon polish

It wasn’t until she stepped inside Max’s bedchaed and pale, but freshly shaven, that Marietta realized what had happened The spit and polish was in her honor, because Max and his servants could not bear to think that she should see them at less than their best

Marietta felt tears sting her eyes and hurriedly blinked them away It would never do for Max to see how affected she was; any weakness on her part could give him a reason to refuse the offer she was about to put to him

“Miss Greentree,” he said, his voice a little husky but otherwise strong and scrupulously polite Hethe tray up now, Pomeroy?”

“Very good, my lord”

Marietta wanted to protest that the stairs were too steep and Pos too old, and she didn’t need refreshht had she to refuse their hospitality, for whatever reason, when it obviously meant so much to them?

The door closed behind the butler The drapes were drawn, and despite the laloos and bring in the spring sunshine, but again she stopped herself The light probably hurt Max’s eyes As she walked toward him, she could see that he was also dressed for the occasion, at least fro a clean, pressed white shirt with dark necktie, and, buttoned over the top, a red and purple brocade jacket His hair was brushed and dae, while beneath it his handsoaunt

“You look much better, Lord Roseby,” she said, suddenly uncharacteristically shy She had begun to feel as if she knew Max, but this er

“I am on the mend, thank you, Miss Greentree,” he answered her in a subdued voice, although his eyes were bright and watchful

“My brother-in-laas called away on soent estate matters, to Derbyshire My sister required my presence, Lord Roseby, or I would have—”

“Please, Miss Greentree, there is no need to explain yourself to me”

“The doctor—”

“He does not think I ao away But that’s to be expected, I suppose, after the crack on the head I received”

“Perhaps you should—”