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“Miss Marietta is headstrong,” Lil said, with a sniff “She an’ her sisters all are, the three of the horses I don’t try an’ rein them in anymore, sir I just let theive them a piece of my mind”

He laughed, his gray eyes sparkling “What part of London are you from, Miss Lil? I am a London boy myself”

She looked startled, then wary “I don’ knohat you’re talking about, Mr Keith”

“You’re a Londoner, I can hear it in your voice”

“I’m from Yorkshire, same as Miss Marietta”

It was ridiculous, thought Marietta Her accent was indisputable, but clearly Lil was having none of it She didn’t want to discuss her past with Mr Keith and she wasn’t going to—if she said she wasn’t fro he could do or say would ht’s eye and gave a slight shrug

“How did you co balloons?” she asked instead

“Sheer luck I was hired by an aeronaught to help with the maintenance of his balloon, and I showed I’d soive it away I was in a position to buy the balloon off hias we have today, far erous”

At thatbreeze Lil gave a little shriek “Miss Lil, there is nothing to be afraid of! Here, let h Marietta could see Lil dragging each step, her already raht back like a soldier’s rifle at attention

“No, sir, I don’t think I—,” Lil was protesting, but Mr Keith was impervious

“Hoill you ever knohether or not you enjoy soently “Now, come and look at this, Miss Lil This is a wicker basket and you couldn’t wish for anything stronger and more flexible…”

On the way home Lil was subdued, a stunned look in her brown eyes “Do you know, Miss Marietta,” she said at last, “I didn’t realize such things was possible That Mr Keith, he’s very clever”

“He is, yes Despite being a bohemian and an eccentric”

Lil cast her a speaking glance “And I’ve not forgotten about you going up in the balloon without telling anyone, miss Don’t you think I have”

“Sometimes I find it kinder not to tell people my plans, Lil—they only worry”