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“Nothing, thanks” Gray glanced at his watch “If you’d just tell Jonas that I’m here…”

“How about so cold Lunch won’t be for another couple of hours You’ll join us, of course”

“I’h he knew that he wouldn’t “There’s a two o’clock flight back to New York If I can, I’d like to be on it”

“Ah I’ll be disappointed, but I understand Well then, I’ll have Car for you to nibble on Some of her pecan shortbread, and some lemonade How’s that sound?”

“Thank you, but it isn’t necessary”

“Don’t be silly” They paused at the closed library door Marta turned to hi hat he kneere unshed tears “It’s just so kind of you to do this for Jonas Really, it’s very generous”

Gray al to do with it Instead he took her hand and squeezed it “I’ll do what I can”

“I know you will And Gray…try not to let hies” Her voice quavered “Will you do that, please?”

He nodded, and she rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek Then she turned to the door and he could alether

“Jonas?” She rapped her knuckles lightly against the wood, then turned the brass handle “Darling? Graham’s here”

Marta stepped back and Gray entered the library The door swung softly shut behind hiht was that he didn’t knohat she’dwas the same He remembered when Marta hadroo house, but this place—his uncle’s lair, was the way he thought of it—had not been touched

There were the same sofas and chairs he recalled frohtly worn and burnished by ti desk with the conquistador’s sword that had given Espada its na at the s, the same old and beautifully faded silk carpet lay on the floor And there was Jonas, seated in his favorite chair near the lass in his hand

Nothing had changed at all…and then his uncle put down the glass and rose to his feet, and Gray caught his breath

Jonas had shrunk That was his first thought The oldfive-nine or-ten…except, he hadn’t It was just that he was hunched over, those once-massive shoulders rounded, that proud back bent

“Graham”