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nfusion, her heart truly aching, her self-assurance and trust that all things would turn out well, gone

~ Nineteen ~

“SCOTT!” FELICIA WAILED after she had finished repeating what she had just witnessed below “Lady Daphne is here … she knows that you and I have run away He is uardian, she is his sister … she knows your father We are done”

“But … but … he is not old,” Scott, all at sea, objected

“Wait,” Becky said, putting up a hand “I do not understand any of this What do you uardian? I knew that business about Mr Ashton being your uncle was a hum because … well, I knew that And of course, you and Scott are not brother and sister, but … what is this about a duke and a guardian?”

Hurriedly, Felicia entrusted her new friend with all the facts that had led them to that moment in time When she was done, she saw that Becky was unable to close her , “There, there, I know it is a great deal to take in, but you o into it any further Take it in stride, Becky Had we not been unfortunate enough to cohwayman … had Scott not been shot, ould now be in London at his aunt’s, and all would be well I have but now six weeks left before I shall attain my majority”

“Yes, but …” Scott said “Ashton is a right ’un He can’t be your odious guardian He can’t have meant to take you to Swindon to marry you off?”

“Swindon?” Becky asked

Felicia waved this off “It doesn’t signify now You don’t know the whole …” She couldn’t tell theht in his bed, could she? She tried to convey so, “You see, I have kissed Ashton, full on the mouth … passionately”

“FLIP!” Scott exclaimed, shocked beyond immediate measure

“Yes, more than once,” Felicia added

Becky laughed “I am certain from what I have witnessed that he kissed you back, and I a you”

“Becky!” again Scott found he could utter no more than a name

“Really?” Felicia asked as Becky and she exchanged glances and took one another’s hands “Do you think so? I had dared to hope, but now …”

“Now, matters are a bit more complicated, but only for a little over a month,” Becky said