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"I'll stay with Elliot," Maeve said

Elliot felt a rush of pleasure at Agnes's response Even here, in this wonderful old house, with Ian a few footsteps away, she chose to be with Elliot "Go ahead," he said with a smile "I'll be fine"

Agnes kissed his scarred cheek, then left him alone with the beautiful woman named Maeve

He stared up at her, unable to look away She was lovely, with her pale skin and hazel eyes, and curly red-gold hair that shone like reflected sunlight What must she think of him, this fey, vibrant beauty? He twisted

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slightly, tried to press the scarred half of his face into the pillow

"Nohy are you sinking down into your pillow, Elliot? You can hardly eat that way" "You don't have to stay"

At first she looked offended, and then she sighed quietly Her shoulders rounded and her hazel eyes turned sad "You want me to leave I suppose Selena told you about me"

Elliot frowned "No I justjust figured you'd want to leave"

She laughed-a high, clear sound that was lighter than the winter air Christht suddenly, and wondered where such a worldly thought had cohter reotten sound of Christ to soood at it"

The et-for just a second-that he was big and clumsy and horribly scarred "You're beautiful," he whispered, stunned to hear the thought slip from his lips Immediately he was ashamed

A sht a pale hand to her chest "No one has told me that in years"

He couldn't i "Me, either," he said with a self-deprecating laugh

She stared down at hi man"

He frowned Was shefun of hi "Youyou aren't disgusted by my scar?"