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his fallibility; just as he would have to accept hers And it would only be a beginning, nothing more

She took a single step forward, her fingers resting lightly on the chilly iron bars of the gate The sweet fragrance of hyacinths, jonquils, and blosso in the crisp air, their white faces peering through the shadowy lattice sides of the gazebo Ian sat on the granite bench, his back turned to her Moonlight caressed his hair, gave it the appearance of a golden halo against the stark, unrelieved black of his coat

"Hello, Selena," he said without turning around

She gasped softly "How did you knoas me?"

"No one else would dare follow me here"

She clasped her hands and walked toward hih the beds of white flowers Her heart was beating too quickly, and a strange moisture dampened her palms

This could be an end for thearden Ian could turn away from her, return her to the cold darkness of her life before his smile

She released a shaky breath and twisted her daht that was not truly on her mind "Did you help Andrew?"

He didn't turn to her "Not yet"

At the answer, so quietly spoken, Selena felt a rush of affection for him He probably didn't even knohat the words meant, the effort they iazes

"I disappointed you today," he said in a crisp, matter-of-fact voice

"Yes"

He gave a laugh, soft and bitter in the darkness "I told you I would"

She heard the finality in his voice and it angered her "You yield too quickly"