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“I think so What of him?”

Martin laughed softly, as if her abrasive manner amused him “He’s off to visit his mistress We’ll follow him as far as her house and then our job is done”

“What do you mean?”

“Mr Thorne has been engaged by the lady’s husband The fellow has doubts about the heir she is carrying”

Lil snorted “He thinks he’s been cuckolded? Does he really need Mr Thorne to tell him that? Why doesn’t he just ask her himself?”

“Ah, these society es, Lil I don’t think they talk to each other at all, except at the breakfast table, and then it’s only ‘Pass the toast, beloved,’ and, ‘More jam, sweetness’”

Lil snorted again “What do they expect when they marry for money or position or because their father tells them to!”

Martin turned to look at her with interest “Why do you think they should marry then?”

“Well, for love, of course!”

As soon as the words were out she bit her lip, hard Why had she said that? And to hi to marry him

“You’re a ro, aren’t you, Lil,” he said, with that soft Irish lilt that made her heart skip a beat

“I’ romantic about that”

“Oh, are you now? Is that what the black is for? I thought you’d given up color for the sake of your soul”

She gave him a look

“I’m sorry Sometimes my jokes fall very flat Did you love your husband, L