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Taffy’s excitement took over the room as she rushed to embrace her friend, and the two squealed with obvious affection for one another It was a moment before Taffy remembered her manners and turned to her aunt to say, “Aunt Sissy, Lady Marble, this is my dear friend Catherine Frome”

Taffy adored her friend and was proud of her She was tall, graceful, and sedate, and Taffy often giggled about how opposite they were She bounced, but Catherine glided Even as she stoodintroductions, she squeezed her friend’s hand and said, “Cathy, you can’t kno much I have missed you!”

Taffy often thought the two of the warm After the introductions, Taffy pulled on her friend’s hand, led her to the sofa, and inquired, “Cath, what are you doing in London? I thought after your season last year, you had decided never again would you allow your family to launch another?”

Before her friend could answer, the butler appeared once again, and was amiably set aside as he tried to announce their nael strode jovially into the room Seth proclaimed, “There, there, Jarvis, no need to announce us—family you know”

Jarvis inclined his head, “As you wish, your Grace”

“Much you know…” said Nigel to his nephew in an aside, obviously continuing the discussion they had been engrossed in during their arrival

“I a you, that ain’t the way to handle it,” answered the young duke Taffy smiled as she saw him suddenly notice Cathy

He put out his hand and went toward her, as a very genuine smile lit up his fair face “Catherine … dear Catherine Fro Miss Froallant kiss on her knuckles “Lord…” he exclairown up, and your eyes … such a blue—”

“You el interrupted, appropriating her hand froiven up his lease of infancy”

“Cath—ignore these fools,” cried Taffy on a laugh She had never really seen Nigel and Seth make up to a woman “Come on, Cath, take off your bonnet and be comfortable, for I don’t intend to let you leave till we have had a nice long visit”

Catherine took off her pretty straw bonnet and placed it to one side of the sofa while Seth drew up a chair and kept her engaged in conversation Taffy found she couldn’t fit in a word as Nigel seemed to vie for Catherine’s attention as well

Taffy rolled her eyes and said, “Gentleered by you two…”

Miss Froood to see you, and them as well You three are always so lively!”

Jarvis looked weary as he appeared once more and announced, “Lord Thurston Tarrant”

In spite of herself, Taffy felt a wave of anticipation She knew she was dangerously attracted to the devil and e herself of this attraction somehow She had to or own herself lost