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“I prefer it when you don’t sound like a fish wife,” she says with a sniff “And I’ll tell you so on between you and Sandy”

“Nothing is going on”

“I’ll no’ say I believed it at first Now don’t get yourself all twisted I just meant I didn’t believe he’d behave like he has He’s always been so good”

“He’s still good,” I whisper “I think we just bring out the worst in each other”

“Or maybe the best?” she asks expectantly

“No, I got it right the first time”

“But Griffin, he’s no good You hear me?”

“He’s not that bad,” I mutter,

“He’s not that good, either Just you watch yourself with hi down if I know him And I do know him—I’ve known him man and boy”

“Chrissy, I think we can both agree that I can’t stay on here”

“I can’nae see why not,” she begins

“Because the man is a freakin’ duke! And he had a ho he loved, and he hasn’t been serious about anyone since then!” As far as I can tell

“So?”

“I can’t stay here and fall in love with hiain

“So you don’t like to take risks? Is that it?” Chrissy pulls a kitchen chair out fro herself into it “That see as you”

“Risks? I like risks” Calculated ones, I silently a to London and anotherhere” Even as I say this, a prickle of unease creeps updishonest? And to Chrissy ortiht? And your family before you?”

“Aye”

“Can you think of one instance where a Dalforth has gotten hied or taken a wife from somewhere other than his own sphere? His oorld?”

“Aye The tenth duke,” she says a touch s “He married an American!”

“An heiress, I’?” My love of historical draain

“Well, aye, but—”