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"Where you're from?"

She blinked in confusion at the sudden change of topic He was going too quickly Her mind could not keep up "I do not knohere I was from Could you perhaps-"

"Family?"

"I do not know of them It would help if-"

"How about opinions? Do you have any?"

"Edith puts them in her stew"

He frowned "What?"

Opinions Not onions She tried to s at her so intently, she felt sick inside, nervous and uncertain "Opinions You mean beliefs"

"Yes" His pen lowered again to the page, waiting

"I believe" Her words trailed off Frantic to i-that Johann had said, or Edith, or Maeve Anything that ht be an opinion Ian expected her to have soaze, feel it in the ebb and tide of his breathing "I believe " Her shoulders sagged, her voice fell to a thick whisper "I believe I have no opinions"

"Really?" He drew the word out, as if savoring it, as if he were glad that she was so empty in the head

She scooted closer to hih it wasn't ladylike, and tilted her face up He was so close, she could see the dark flecks in his blue, blue eyes, so close, she could feel his breath against her face "I believe in you,

Ian"

He laughed, only this time it was a harsh sound that ence," he said,a quick note in his journal

"I am not stupid," she said in a quiet voice