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“Hopefully, Lord Murray is too polite to refuse It would suit our purpose if Miss Pendleton began to doubt his intentions” Scarlett closed the door and scanned the roos are a little more lavish than those in Lord Craven’s powder rooether what you reht”

“Lord Tregarth has exquisite taste,” Cassandra agreed, surveying the suiltscreens painted with vivid woodland scenes, nymphs and cherubs, created separate spaces for those ladies who preferred to be discreet “And his staff clearly have an awareness of the privacy required when a lady attends to her needs”

“Lord Craven is a lech” Scarlett picked up a padded chair from the far side of the rooets a thrill froether while using the bourdaloues”

“What are you doing with that chair?” Verity asked

“I shall bar the door to stop people entering” Scarlett nodded towards the concealed cupboard next to the screens “Perhaps there’s so with the pulley The one down to the servants’ quarters to see why they’re not sending up clean chamber pots”

The lack of clean porcelain supported Scarlett’s theory

Verity gave a curious frown “The mention of the maid raises an important question, does it not?” She turned to Cassandra “There ht Do you re room?”

Before Cassandra could answer, and before Scarlett had wedged the chair’s crest rail underneath the handle, the door opened and three ladies burst into the roo they had witnessed in the corridor

Rosae all ca to a halt As quick as a wink, the smiles slipped froulped as she struggled to aze

“Rosaht have rushed forward and hugged her friend had the lady not worn such a tortured expression

“Cassandra” The strained word left Rosae

The elder Miss Fox—a spinster of rabbed Rosamund by the elbow “We should return to the ballroo room when it’s a little less crowded”

Without uttering another word, without a backward glance or a y from Rosamund, the ladies scurried out into the corridor

Cassandra stared at the door as she struggled with the sudden onset of tears She understood the reason for her friend’s reticence An un with one found practically naked in Hyde Park Losing her reputation was so her friend hurt more than she could possibly explain

Scarlett slammed the door shut and muttered an unladylike obscenity Then she used the chair to prevent anyone else turning the handle “What a better world it would be if everyone learnt to show a little kindness and compassion”