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“Scott,” Felicia said as she tried to compose herself, “on the ride over here when I told Becky how much we love to hunt, she told me that her father has taken her up to hunt the Quorn a few times over the years!”

This so impressed Scott that his mouth dropped open “Never say so? Upon my word, you hunt the Quorn, Miss Wilson?”

Becky nodded shyly, and Felicia laughed “There, you see? He isnorth to do so” She turned to Ashton and asked, “Have you ever hunted the Quorn, sir?”

“You and Miss Wilson are already on first names Would that my name would come as easily to your lips,” Ashton said in an aside and then added a bit louder, “Indeed, I have hunted the Quorn often”

Felicia eyed hi to this, said, “I should like to do so one tiht now I am famished When do you think we may have some food?”

“Indeed,” Ashton said quietly and as he had bent close to her ear, only for her ear, “I am I find more famished every minute that passes”

She eyed hieously with her and she quite liked it “Ah, then I say we must eat … at once” The tease was in her eyes, and she was encouraged by the save her

Scott and Becky had already entered a lively discussion about thethe Quorn and paid them little heed as Ashton took Felicia’s hand and slipped it through his bent arm and led her towards the door

“Do you two join us?” he said languidly over his shoulder

“Not Scott, he needs his rest,” Felicia said worriedly

“Pon rep, what, do you mean to starve a man of food and company?” Scott objected

“You proer

“I think a ood,” Ashton said

Scott, who had been reclining in his chair, hurried to his feet and as he winced with the sudden ood arht?”

He grinned and said as he bent to gallantly kiss her fingers, “Quite” He offered his uninjured arm and followed Ashton and Felicia, as astonished at the unsuspected gallantry her longtime friend had never before displayed