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But then again what if he was no longer Mr Thorne?

Aphrodite had suggested as much How can such aother than secret? If you were a gentleman to her lady, you could keep her safe more easily And you do want to keep her safe, don’t you?

His hands tightened their grip on the ebony railing that circled the gallery He’d proo back, but Francesca needed him He had to save her

Whatever the cost to himself

Chapter 25

“So she really can’t speak?” Lil asked, wide-eyed

Martin nodded “She really can’t, and she’s not playacting, either She can’t tell Mr Thorne as giving her orders, and now he’s pulling out his hair orry, because he thinks whoever it is will come after Miss Francesca next, and she’s refused to let him near her”

Martin often told her things no one else knew, things he probably shouldn’t have But Lil liked it She didn’t let hih; men were best kept in the dark when it ca

“Good job, too” She sniffed “Miss Francesca’s too good for the likes of him”

Martin laughed “As if that has anything to do with it, Lil They’re mad for each other, can’t you see that?”

“No, I can’t, and I don’t believe you”

“Well, you take note of the way they look at each other next tiether You’ll believe me then”

Lil sniffed “There are s than lust, Martin When a ladyand blood, and she wants a s she’s used to”

“What about if soo for breeding, too? Or can she marry for love?”

“It depends,” Lil said primly