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However, as Myriah and Roland met in the steps of the country dance, their eyes flirted, and it seemed to the onlookers that here was a match indeed

Myriah’s cheeks were flushed when the dance ended, and Sir Roland eyed her with concern “You need air, love Conore”

She hesitated and glanced doubtfully toward her father

Sir Roland tugged gently at her ar hiarden It was a delicious night, srass She looked up at the black sky and saw the half-htly down on her, its star coht poets andabout, and Myriah breathed it in with pleasure They walked without speaking, without touching, and she pulled her light shawl about her arms

“Cold, love?” he inquired quietly, and there was a subtle shading in his words she chose to ignore

“No,” she replied and walked a bit away from him He reached out and held her back “Don’t run away from me, Myriah There is no need If you wish, I’ll take you back inside”

“No, I don’t wish to go back”

“Then coh his He led her farther away from the house, down the path to a ht his eye He coaxed her to sit down beside him Suddenly, as if exasperated, he took Myriah by the shoulders and turned her face to him “You want to be alone with me, Myriah Why do you pretend otherwise? You are no sillyno when she means yes ’Tis not your way”

She laughed good-naturedly “You are a rogue! Perhaps I do want to be alone with you … perhaps I do not I really don’t know But that doesn’t signify at the moment, for apparently I am alone with you!”

His laugh was low and soft as he put his strong arood in my arms …”

She knehat she was doing She invited his caress, hoping he ht be the one He certainly excited her Suddenly hishi if he could be the one as she waited and hoped for thunder and lightning … hoped for bells … for th and pulled away

“I can’t marry you, Roland”

He laughed and shook his head “Who is the rogue now, my dear?”

She returned his look, an i into her eyes “Now there is no use telling me that I must not kiss a man unless I mean to marry him, for that is simply stuff and nonsense—and so you know!”

“So I do! But there are hts!”