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“Still, it is the polite thing to say”

“Nothing you could say would upset or faze him,” Cassandra said as the most handsome man ever to make her acquaintance strode over to stand at her side She straightened her spine and smiled “Benedict, may I introduce my friends, Miss Rosamund Fox and Miss Sybil Atwood”

“A pleasure” Benedict bowed

Rosaht devour her with razor-sharp fangs Clearly she wasn’t sure if one curtsied to a god of the underworld and, somewhat aardly, followed Sybil’s lead when she dipped a curtsy as a mark of respect

“Sir Williahter?” Benedict asked with a hint of suspicion Surely he didn’t think her friends had anything to do hat happened in the park “I have made your father’s acquaintance many times”

As Benedict rarely attended society functions, he must have met Sir William at the demimonde’s soirées, but Rosamund said so industry, too, Mr Cavanagh?”

Ainto crah your father approaches the business with such vigorous passion”

“My father takes his investments seriously, sir”

“Indeed”

“May I offer h?” Sybil did not cower before the scandalous son of Lord Tregarth but looked him keenly in the eye “If anyone possesses the ithal to assist Cassandra through this scandal, it is you, sir”

“Do I sense a compliment there, Miss Atwood?” Benedict teased as he scanned the lady’s vibrant red hair and ereen pelisse

“You do, sir While I have limited experience of the male character, any man who rises above society’s hypocritical dictates deserves respect”

“As a man known to speak bluntly, Miss Atwood, I ahter to associate with a lady who boasts of such original ideas”

There it was again, that air of distrust and suspicion

“But then you are the daughter of Mr Atticus Atwood, are you not?” Benedict continued “A ated for his modern views”