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“Of course not, Amy”

“Even if she doesn’t love the ood matches to be made”

“Logically, yes, but the heart is not always a very logical organ, is it? If it was, I fear you would never have married me”

Ahed softly, and there was a hush, broken by a contented murmur

Sebastian backed away from the room as silently as he’d come Normally he would be amused by the Jardines’ dishter He kneas far from husband material and he didn’t pretend otherwise Besides, he was not a e—in his occupation the future could er between his ribs…or not waking up at all, as the case may be

No, it was not e he had in mind for Francesca Greentree

Chapter 5

Francesca hurried down the stairs No doubt everyone else was already gathered in the drawing roo the call to dinner She knew she was late, but the unflattering green woolen dress had taken so-boar brooch pinned to her breast was a htly into a roll at the back that it looked like a cap She touched her hand to the austere style, pleased with the result If Mr Thorne had ever really desired her, he would be cured now

With a little smile of triumph, and so room door

“Miss Greentree?”

Startled, Francesca stopped and turned Sebastian Thorne was standing there, staring at her as if he wasn’t at all certain who she was

“Hell and damnation! It is you…” A frown dren his heavy brows as he strode toward her, and then around her, circling her with all the caution of a gunner facing an unexploded cannonball

Calmly Francesca stood with her hands folded at her waist “Mr Thorne”

He was still pale, with a dark bruise to add to the scratch on his jaw, but otherwise he was smoothly shaven, and his hair was combed back from his brow and clubbed at his nape They’d found him some borrowed clothes, and by their old-fashioned cut and style, Francesca suspected that they ed to Sir Henry Greentree But they fit hihtly disreputable air

“What in God’s na?” he said, still clearly in shock “Did you pay a visit to the church ju?”