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“Hmmm … she is a top sawyer! Don’t let her bossiness fool you, Kit She really is grand, you know!”

“And how ca lady you hardly know?” his lordship asked drily

“Kit!” Billy protested “She saved ht rass … or worse!”

“Very well, ill allow her that much She did indeed deliver you into Fletcher’s hands instead of hauling you off to the doctor’s … which would have been the very devil to deal with”

“Aye, but, Kit,” objected Billy once again, “she did far more than that! Lord—ain’t Fletcher told you? He told… ah, a tourniquet that slowed ether And what’s more, she never asked how I came by my bullet! Not one question Nor does she talk around it like soive over …”

Kit laughed and put up his hands “That, of course ht ’un!”

“Yes, it does,” Billy said defensively “She is plucky—for yousoets and runs away! How many females do you know have the backbone to take such a step?”

“She told you that, eh?” His lordship was mildly surprised and asked, “And that step meets with your approbation, Billy?”

“Now, Kit, coet so at me, and I want to knohy!”

“Frankly, I don’t wish for you to becoirl of her stamp—” started his lordship

A gusty laugh drowned out Kit’s words “Involved? Egad, Kit … Myriah is a dazzler! Lord don’t knohen I’ve clapped eyes on a brighter flower But she noaway from!”

“But what do you want, my bucko?” Kit asked

“I want a fairy queen with china-blue eyes, corn silk hair blowing soft in the breeze … and I want her ten years frorinned

Kit sue you noGet some rest”

“The devil I will!” retorted his brother “’Tis your turn now, my brother”