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“This is my…this is Lil,” Marietta said, surprised and pleased to note the spark of interest in the aeronaught’s eyes

“Are you planning another ascent today? If the wind holds I aham Palace”

“Buckinghaasped “Her Majesty would have you arrested!”

Mr Keith laughed “She’d have to catch me first, Miss Lil Is that short for Lillian, by the way?”

Lil blushed “That’s none of your business,” she said grandly, but chose thatropes Mr Keith leaped forward to save her, catching her ar her steady Lil’s face turned even redder than before

“Careful, Lil,” Mr Keith said gently “I have many silly traps laid here for unwary maidens” His eyes twinkled at her, and Lil could not help but respond with a little smile

“I’ve never seen a balloon before,” Lil ad somewhat

“Lil was saying on the way here that she could think of nothing h in the sky,” Marietta said innocently

Lil’s ive Marietta the set down she deserved, Mr Keith interrupted

“Then please, be , of course I would like to show you London from the air, Miss Lil”

Lil wriggled, clearly uncoht

Mr Keith finally seemed to remember Marietta was there “Did you say you wished to make another ascent, Miss Marietta? It pro”

“Another?” squeaked Lil, with an accusing stare

Marietta ignored her “Thank you, no, Mr Keith I came because I wanted to speak to you about Lord Roseby”

“Max?”