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She turned and looked at hireeable again”

He sht then, you tell me the moment I become so”

She beaht then,” she said and came back to the table to sit

He had poured hi while before he offered, “You know, I had not meant to offend you, Felicia I aht, as I am older—”

“Older?” she said, looking at him sharply “Oh, but you aren’t that much older than I”

“I am nine and twenty and therefore in a position to use e,” he said softly

“Nine and twenty is nothing … just eight years older There is nothing to say in that,” she countered

He did not reply to this but said instead, “Have you considered the fact that Scott will not be able to travel for at least a week?”

Felicia’s eyes darted to his, and he was nearly struck dureen jewels She was stunning

She said, “No … oh no As much as that?”

Such desperation lined her voice He could see the wheels turning in herto him for an answer, and he knew in that e and calm her He didn’t knoas that he reached out and took her fingers and why the touch should send shivers through his body He was a man of the world—not a schoolboy—and yet her touch excited hi

“As it happens,” he offered her gently, “I a I ait out the ith you, advance you the ready for your shot here at the inn … and for the clothes you most desperately will need”

She blushed “Oh, no, sir … I couldn’t let you do that It may be some weeks before I can repay you”

“Your credit, Felicia, is good with me I have an instinct about people, and I am not worried about a few pieces of coin where you and Scott are concerned Besides that, you have said you are a lady of ave her a warm smile

“This is deuced unco at him