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“Was there any shopping you’d like to do?” he asked her when she stopped in the lobby to thank hilad to accompany you”

Lunching with him could be explained by the lack of e his company beyond that would not be proper

“No, thank you,” she refused “Benteen tookyesterday”

“If you need anything—”

But Lorna didn’t want him to extend the offer “I enjoyed lunch, Mr Giles I’s to do I won’t keep you froer”

“Then I’ll leave you” His bulky frah, that I’ve never enjoyed a meal so ain”

She nodded her head slightly at the co his hat on his head, he walked away toward the street doors Lorna watched hio back to the room just yet to wait for Benteen to return

Just then a h the lobby, and heads turned toward the staircase Lorna’s curious glance swung to it and saw her, the older woman she’d seen at the top of the stairs the day before This afternoon she earing a biscuit-colored traveling suit with a stylish hat to shade her face She descended the stairs with slow, regal grace, see Lorna noticed the way the woman never looked directly at people and thus didn’t invite them to speak to her

The wo course took her to the side of the rooave the i for someone When the woman noticed Lorna, she snition by soht a rush of exciteesture

With a studied casualness the woman suddenly wandered over to Lorna The small smile on her lips took Lorna’s attention away from the stare of the woman’s dark eyes It see her out

“We seem to be the only wolance at the male population in the lobby

“I’ at me,” Lorna replied in all sincerity

A soft laugh ca of you to say that”

“It’s the truth,” Lorna assured her It would be impossible for her to compete with the woman’s looks, clothes or poise She was the epito beautiful and sophisticated

“Let me introduce myself I’m Elaine Dunshill, wife to the Earl of Crawford”