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“Ha No thanks!” I begin to turn, but the movement is alin to fall into place

Not Cameron Not Cooper Maybe Griffin?

Didn’t Alexander say he wanted inally?

He couldn’t stand the thought of us being together

No, I couldn’t hurt him like that

But maybe it wouldn’t hurt him

Maybe it’d turn him off

Make him despise me

Yes, he would hateuess it’s not like I’d be ruining their relationship because they can barely stand each other as it is

Barely stand ht turn to hate

But what other choice do I have?

I don’t knohich part of me hurts more as I turn back to face Griffin

My head My heart My stomach

I watch as Griffin lifts his face expectantly If I do this, there will be no going back

“Do you think the castle has ghosts?” I findfor ti the hallway earlier”

“There’s supposed to be,” he ansithout a flicker of concern “The punters love a good ghost story”

“Huh” I tilt my head “I wonder what those noises were, then?”

“If you ask Isla orthe place They reckon the devil gives hiood behaviour The way they describe him, I expect even Old Nick would find him an ordeal”

The twelfth duke? Not “my father”? I shake my head and the distractions away

What if Griffin doesn’t go for it?

I’ll make hi ho So chains down here, and it isn’t the twelfth duke of Dalforth’s ghost

“I have”—either lost my mind or am truly a horrible person—“a proposition to put to you”

“That sounds interesting” Griffin lounges back in his chair with the satisfied air of so

Foolishyour own hand And if you are, I hope you have wipes Those drapes look like they’ve been hanging there for half a century or more

“I need you to pretend you’re interested in me”

“Didn’t I e? Remember? You turned me down”