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et her gaze wander in his direction

The happy voices and laughter of the boys carried into the cabin, an assurance that Bull was keeping them entertained Lorna sensed that Benteen wasn’t pleased by that Perhaps she shouldn’t have allowed them to stay outside, but Webb had acquired such a temper lately that she hadn’t wanted to risk one of his stormy tantrums in front of Lady Crawford

After waiting until she had deeested they tour the new house Her plan went ahen they went outside and both children wanted to accoht they had been safely pawned off onto the guide, but it see

The interior of the house was a maze of skeletal ti everywhere To the s seemed to add to the confusion In spite of it all, Elaine could visualize exactly how the house would look, froe kitchen It had the potential to be nificent by Western standards, and she knew it

“This is going to be the study,” Lorna explained as they coht thee entryway

There was a loud thud behind theht from one of the boys Elaine was the only one who didn’t react with alarer child, screaed to lift his foot over a board It had tripped hih wood floor

Benteen started to pick him up, but Arthur wanted hishands to her She lifted the toddler into her arhtly in silent comfort

“Is Arthur hurt?” The older boy strained to see the injury “Is he bleeding? Can I see?”

“He just scraped his knees,” Lorna replied, then glanced apologetically to Elaine “Would you excuse me?”

“Certainly,” she agreed with alacrity “Your husband can show me the rest of the house” She turned away to conceal the satisfaction that gleamed in her eyes and crossed the room to the massive fireplace She listened to the sound of footsteps, separating Benteen’s froh the front door

“The stairway to the second floor isn’t completed,” Benteen informed her “There isn’t any more of the house to see”

Elaine tipped her head toward her shoulder to study hi look “You don’t remember me at all, do you?” she murmured

“I beg your pardon” There was a quizzical lift of one eyebrow, yet his curiosity seemed forced It was obvious his mind was elsewhere

“I didn’t expect that you would” Her gaze returned to the fireplace “Your father used to keep a picture ofhe left it there”

When she looked at hiain, she saw the whiteness under his skin as his facial muscles tautened with cold shock Elaine wasn’t surprised by the bitter hatred that blazed suddenly in his eyes