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She roarieved his loss and o

She had ridden through her beloved New Forest in an unhappy daze during those early days Nothing at that moment in time had made any sense Now, she had come to terms Now that weeks had turned into

Dis, she tethered her horse and plopped down at her favorite spot, deep in the woods Her chestnut razed contentedly within the confines of her lead line

Kitty bent her head and rubbed her dirt-sed her knees Today, for the first tiled to recall his voice

She finally recalled the first day she met him, the first time he had jovially called out her name, “Kitty!”

She had been so se, so robust He had taken her hand in his and said, “Kitty! My own Kitty … you needn’t be afraid I shall look after you” And after that, he had become her hero

He had told her once, “Kitty, you have the look of your father, and you knoas my dearest friend” She had liked that, and he often told her stories about her parents, brought theot older

Another ti by herself, he had picked her up and spun her around until she giggled He told her, “My own little Kitty … hter of the heart”

So it had been, but now, he was gone She hugged herself and fell onto her back and stared up at the blue sky Thank goodness for Nanny, although her dear Nanny had never approved of the way her Uncle Edwin had spoiled her Odd really, for he had been a frugal s except in the lavish way he had treated her, both with affection and his easy way about her breaking rules

She suardian, whoht-fisted, had never been so with her He had taught her to ride, hunt, and enjoy a great deal of what he enjoyed He had taken her with his most men would only teach their sons

He took her fishing and sailing and allowed her every freedo the use of breeches when she rode They were the best of friends

She had asked hi story, pet”

“Tell me,” she asked curiously

He flicked her nose and said, “It was for the best, and now I have you”

When the time came for her to attend school, Nanny nearly went down on her knees to beg him to send her to a select ladies se in tutor after tutor instead