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When the fawning fortune-hunter had finally gone, the Lady Elaine, wife to the Earl of Crawford, turned to glance down the hallway The sed mouth as her dark eyes became sharp with curiosity She knew she had concealed her shock hen she’d heard that name It wasn’t a common one

The porter walked toward her, s like a silly schoolboy “Good day to you …” He faltered, not knowing the proper way to address her “… your Highness”

“Good day” God, how she loved the way these yokels bowed and scraped to win their way into her good graces “Excuseman”

“Yes,a little red but no less eager to serve

“The young woman I believe I heard you refer to her as Mrs Calder My husband was acquainted with a fa an earlier visit to Aht possibly be related to them”

“I doubt it” He turned his head to the side in skepticis trail herds up a couple times a year from Texas”

Lady Elaine stiffened just a little “Would you know his name?” she inquired

“I believe … his name is Benteen Calder,” the porter replied

“As you said”—she ret—“it is unlikely my husband would know him Thank you”

“My pleasure,attempt at a bokward

After the porter had started down the stairs, she relance down the hallway A cool intelligence showed as she wondered what probleht present, if any Perhaps she and Con should leave immediately for San Francisco But they had already accepted too many invitations Besides, there was a part of her that was curious She alhed aloud when she realized that After all these years, ould have thought that she’d care a damn

“Laine,down?”

With a graceful turn, she looked down the stairs, where her husband stood with one foot on the steps She looked at hiht that had broadened hishairline that had raised his already high forehead The mustache and muttonchop whiskers emphasized his jowls and weak chin He had nevershe’d ever wanted—after she’d put the idea in his head

“Yes, I’, Con”

It was more than two hours since Lorna had entered the hotel roo bath and washed her hair She wished for a wrap to wear over her undergarments and chemise That lady she’d seen in the hall probably had dozens of silk or satin ones She didn’t want to put on her only clean dress until her hair had dried