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“Shall I be gallant and say you have already done so by sieously and tell you that I will think of a way?” He spoke so softly that Sassy had to lean into hi, and as she caloved hand with his own

She felt herself blush, for she sensed so her? Also, how could she withdraw her hand without appearing rude? What was he doing? Was he trying to see how far he could go? However, she didn’t have the time to respond to this, for at that moment a masculine voice spoke, one that went into her nervous systeuiltily away from Dr Bankes

The marquis’s voice was dry as he said, “I aive either Mr Lutterel or me any peace until I carried out her wishes to escort her friend, Miss Winthrop, to her box”

Heat flooded Sassy’s cheeks, and for a moment she wished she had a fan, she was so warm She and Dr Bankes must have appeared to be—oh, ould the ht in an intimate moment? No, oh no She did not want him to think so, and why she didn’t want him to think so eluded her at that moment

The marquis bent his arm towards her, and she turned to Dr Bankes and said, “I aers on the th beneath her touch made her heart flutter

What, oh as she going to do? She couldn’t go on pretending that this big, handsohts But if she wasn’t going to find herself hurt, that was precisely what she was going to have to do She orking as a tutor—he was a marquis This could only end badly

Miss Delleson, dressed in what seene bubbles, burst on the scene at that er wait for Sassy toat her back, were introduced to Dr Bankes, and then Sophy drew Sassy aside

Sassy could not help but notice that Sophy was barely civil to Dr Bankes and frowned over the libly that she could not ask about it

“I sent you a note round earlier this afternoon Did you not get it, for I told that dratted boy Papa is groo to be oh, I don’t knohat, but I told him to put it expressly in your hands and have not seen him since” Sophy waved this off

with an impatient expression and whispered, “Sassy, I need you I have got le I can’t explain it all to you here and now, but I am desperate Promise me you will fall in with my plans—promise?”

Sassy arched a look at her “What plans, Sophy, for I can not pro unless I knohat it is”

“My rout! Oh, Sassy, I know it is short notice, but that is not my fault It came about so suddenly, so I can’t be blamed for that, now can I?”

“Sophia …” Sassy said, eyeing her intently

“Do but listen,” Sophy demanded petulantly “You see, I am to have Cecy’s rout because she has the measles!”

Sassy was all at sea Seeing her expression, Sophy gave over to the giggles but ed to clear her throat and squeeze Sassy’s hand “Oh, I do like you Sassy, of all my friends, you are so … so … real” This said, she waved it off and dove right in once more “Cecy is just an acquaintance so don’t think me hard-hearted that I don’t seem to care that she has contracted thewith theer At any rate, I was monstrous put out when I first heard the rout was to be cancelled, but then Mama said I may have it instead”