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“Why? Is it just the

“It’s the challenge ofit,” Elaine replied “I know it’s supposed to be a ative, but it isn’t exclusively yours”

“Why did you pick uilt?”

Elaine set her cup on the table and pressed her hand over the roughness of his “I picked you because we are sous, Benteen” There was an avid quality to the husky pitch of her voice “Well?”

“It’s a deal,” he agreed, but without her enthusiasuarded, still wary Elaine wasn’t concerned by that It would pass in ti the beef?”

“Your neighbor to the north Canada” She explained about the railroad construction, the reservation Indians, and the outposts the Canadian government would need to keep supplied with beef She was careful to be ae the contract

“Where will you be while all this is taking place?” Benteen asked “I suppose you’ll be traveling on with your English friends back to London”

“No, I won’t be returning to London As a matter of fact, the Duke of Middleton and his party have already left for the Dakota Territory” This time when Elaine pouredhere This venture is just the beginning for us”

“I thought you ran away to have soaiety of society,” he baited “Are you co full circle back to a con?”

“It’s full circle, perhaps, but I’litter and gaiety excites young, beautiful wo to sti wife “It must be extremely lonely out there for Lorna She needs someone to keep her company when you’re away When did you say the house would be completed?”

“This winter, although we’ll probably be able to move into a portion of the house this fall” He drank down a s of coffee “The cabin’s beco around”

“But it won’t seem nearly as empty as that house if your wife is alone in it,” Elaine pointed out Someone knocked at the door “I’ve dismissed the maid for the afternoon Would you answer it?” She sipped at her coffee while Benteen went to the door There was a long moment of silence after he opened it Elaine turned to look over the back of the sofa “Mr Giles Come in”

Benteen stepped out of the way to allow the broadly built lance swept the roo for someone else before he stopped beside the sofa

“What is it?” she prompted

“You asked ram as soon as it came in” He handed her the wire