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“Yes”

“Well?” He paused “Three reasons, Cassandra Three honest reasons You owe me that”

“Yes” She shuffled aardly on the spot, wrung her hands and struggled to cals you through the dirt, you need to know there are people you may depend upon Today, you proved to be the only trustworthy gentleman of my acquaintance”

“A trustworthy gentleman?” He was impressed “Not the spurious son of a philanderer?” She had called him that on many occasions

“A gentleth in you I have never seen before”

“Is that the second reason?”

“No” She lifted her chin “I would like to marry you because an undeniable connection exists between us” She bit down on her botto of his shirt “I’ve felt it my whole life”

“A connection so undeniable you cast me aside,” he mocked

“I cannot undo the past, Benedict You wanted a reason, and I have given you one”

This lady was as dangerous as he feared Already, his heart thu southward “And the third reason?”

“To reveal the third would leave me more exposed than when you found ain, I will confide in you For now,fazes you You walk tall despite every wicked accusation I have hurled your way”

And there had been many

“Tregarth once told me that a man should not be ashamed of situations beyond his control Equally, when people push a man to the outskirts of society, no one can bla his life there”

Silence descended

Cassandra shuffled nervously “Now you have heard my reasons you must tell me your answer”