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“Indeed,” he said quietly What was towards here? What was she doing? She was too cool a character to give ahat she couldn’t retrieve

“How nice Then it is for some refreshment I owe your visit to, today?” She eyed him frankly

“Oneup andto slide his arm around her trim waist “I am told that sort of refreshment, the sort I have a decided penchant for, will not be available till Friday night” He sighed purposely “And this man needs a move

“Whatever do youto withdraw from his hold She blinked her lashes at him playfully

A knock sounded at the door, which caused the marquis to drop his arm, and a man’s voice called out, “Bianca?”

She eyed the marquis saucily and called out, “Yes, Dr Bankes, do come in”

The marquis noted that Bankes had already done so and stepped away, one eyebrow up Just as he thought, Bankes and the headmistress were lovers … of a sort

A loosely wrapped brown package was tucked under his arm, and he immediately bowed his head to her “Good day, Mistress Sallstone” He turned to the marquis “My lord”

“Ja with formalities

“I brought this along with me I was in Bath today, and your dressmaker asked e slipped from his underarown

Bankes turned nearly as red as the gown as the marquis eyed it and then him, his brow up and his expression loud, very loud

“I do regret, madam, that I must leave you now Perhaps another ti away

“I do hope so,” she said, s warmly

He inclined his head, nodded to Dr Bankes, and s he kneith all the things he was learning