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“Ah, Sassy, how lovely you look,” he drawled

“Won’t you co, “and have a cup of tea?”

He followed her inside withsteps, his ennui displayed by his expression and the use of his handkerchief swishing before him

Sassy’s gaze went to his bright yelloaistcoat and then to hisaway, she bit back a giggle

She found hiht at her back as she turned to bid hi strand of her hair “Lovely,” he whispered, “so like hed heavily “I could write an ode to your hair … but, egad, your eyes!” He paused once e “I have never seen a shade quite as green … touched with aqua Yes, I shall write an ode to both your hair and your eyes”

Sassy giggled and could not stop herself “But what of my face?”

/>“Dash it, Sassy … piquant and beautiful …” He moved closer, and his voice lowered as he said, “Delectably ripe”

Sassy suddenly realized she should not have teased with him He had crossed the line, and she stiffened “And here I was thinking that the black ofclothes

“Black? Mourning? Ah yes, to be sure So sorry about your father Been in London Shaeted uncomfortably

Sassy looked to the three ports, all her s—had been stuffed inside those bags It was as though her whole life were now on the h “We just need to put s at the boot”

“Is that all you have?” Sir John frowned over the luggage

“That is all,” she said “And quite enough”

“Yes, yes, of course … got what you need Fine, then … let et you situated while the lad packs it up Can’t keepShe is anxious to have you at Tanderlay with her” He took her elbow, but she gently withdrew it

“One moment, Sir John … I have some farewells to make to my friends”

“Friends?” He looked about, and dawning displayed itself on his face “Er … servants … I see … friends”