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“Well, itaway froo to your aunt Looks …”

“Aye, aye I see what youlit up his pale blue eyes “Got it!” With this statement, he took her arm and led her to the house

“Do you?”

She listened raptly as he laid out his plans and then scrunched up her face as she gave it soht She still had her doubts and told him, “Well, I don’t kno and what your aunt Matilda will say e show up at her door”

“Never s first,” Scott answered, obviously having made up his mind

She laughed at all this newfound manhood and said, “Why, Scott … I am impressed”

“Aye, so you should be”

Quaint and well appointed, the Northport Inn, was, Lady Daphne felt, at least a respectable establish around her chared, placid-tempered maid that her brother the duke was a villain of some stature

“For wouldn’t you knoould send me off in a Somerset coach that was too decrepit to make the journey!”

She folded her arms across her ample bosooes to London on some last-minute nonsense while he sends me to do his work for him Well, when next I see hiitated, for she missed her Freddy and heartily wanted to return to him and her life in London

“I am very sure he will, my lady,” answered her maid with a certain twinkle, for she ell acquainted with her ladyship’s volatile brother

Lady Daphne eyed her suspiciously for a moment but continued in this vein for a time before she allowed herself to sit and sip the tea her maid had poured for her refreshment

“Is the coach nearly ready, do you think?” her ladyship asked after the soothing brew had found its way to her lips and down her throat

“I will go and see, my lady” Her maid started to rise

“No, no, sit back down dear and have a cup with hed and added, “I am certain they will send us word as soon as it is ready for us to proceed on this blasted journey” She eyed her maid, who picked up a pastry and took a hearty bite