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“That was quite different,” Speenham spat back at the duke sullenly

“Was it indeed? I fail to see the difference” The duke rose and pushed away from his chair He had all that he needed for the , sir” He found he could not stomach Alfred Speenham When he had his Mandy safely out of this situation, this was one connection he would see to it was totally cut out of her world

His Mandy? How easily he had begun to think proprietarily about her How did that happen? When had that happened? He knew the answer From the moment you kissed her! His mind shouted He shook this off He couldn’t think of that no, all he wanted to do was clear her brother and end his guardianship

As he ure on horseback approached hi an eerie shadow over the man’s face Here was another man he wanted out of Mandy’s life

“Margate!” Sir Owen called

He eyed Sir Owen uns, Owen”

“Are you returning to Wharfdale Manor?”

The duke gave hiazed at him coldly He didn’t trust the man and he didn’t like him

“I a hoht talk along the way”

“Not, sir, if your conversation carries some of yesterday’s strain,” the duke returned curtly

Pleasant apparently when it suite

d him, the duke’s broent up as Sir Owen chuckled and curious, he waited

“Come now, you can’t think me such a rum-touch What I had to say, I said to Skippendon’s face—not behind his back Now adate, you can have no quarrel withI should like to discuss with you”

“Indeed? Do tell?” the duke returned dryly

“I should like to discuss…well this is about Amanda Sherborne,” Sir Owen blurted out