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“I really do

n’t know,” she lied, to irl’s identity was of no import to her

Her husband’s attention was diverted by the appearance of the man who had volunteered to accohorns Lady Elaine slid a glance across the lobby at the young wohter-in-law

An alertness stilled her wandering thoughts when she saw the tall, lean cowboy talking to Lorna Calder Her sharp gaze studied his hewn features The reseher version of Seth Calder, but it was Benteen Her son whoo

She felt no guilt about it She’d had enough trouble talking Con into taking her aith hi Besides, Seth had doted on the boy Benteen had served as an anchor to keep Seth in Texas rather than come after her If she had taken his son, Madelaine knew Seth would have torn up the world until he found him

Madelaine—Lady Elaine—was convinced that some women were cut out for the role ofassociated with Benteen that she had found renancy had been terrible She had nearly ruined her figure During those long, torturous hours of labor she had cursed Seth repeatedly for planting this child inside her When she finally expelled the thing frolad to be rid of it She had no desire to see it or hold it; only with the greatest reluctance did she let the infant suckle at her breasts She left it to Seth to see to many of the baby’s needs

In her opinion, no woed to have a child when she was only sixteen It see or carefree Always it had been work and responsibility—the kind that threatened to ruin her beauty She used to dream about fine clothes and jewelry, and tons of money that she could spend any way she wanted Then Con had ridden up one day to water his horse, and Madelaine had found the way to obtain the riches she’d dreamed about Madelaine Calder had become Elaine Asher

It had been relatively easy to manipulate Con Dunshill, second in line of succession to the Earl of Crawford At first she’d had to be content to be his consort He had showered her with expensive gifts and clothes, taken her to the finest places in San Francisco and later New York She convinced him that only his persuasions had pro hiraland, she conveniently otten hold of a Fort Worth newspaper and learned of the death of her husband and son By the tiland with hiood deal of sophistication Together they caround that would convince his fao, they lived happily ever after

She had taken great pains not to have anythe other Dunshill wives provide the sons to continue the line Con assuave her another hold over him For all his education, he lacked the ability to scheme and maneuver people Elaine had learned well and had secretly amassed a small fortune of her own

It was a rather novel experience to know that the iving Elaine a better view of his face He had grown into a virile man The more she looked, the more she saw Ruthless deternized those qualities in him, because they caht, then sighed

“It took longer than I thought,” Benteen said “Were you able to keep yourself amused?”

“Just before you ca to that lady I told you about,” Lorna said “And she is a lady Her husband is an English earl She’s right over there by the door You passed her when you came in”

Benteen half-turned to look as the petite, well-dressed woentleman

“Why was she talking to you?” he asked

“I guess because I was the only other female present” Lorna wasn’t really sure herself “She was very kind She’s going to send her ive hness”