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Chapter Two

Superstition proclaimed that bad luck came in threes

The scandalous nature of Lucius’ birth had been the first unfortunate event He iined a bitterly cold January day, a rather bleak period that served as a foundation for his childhood Eight years later came his mother’s disappearance—more an inevitability than bad luck when one considered the shouts and sobs echoing through the house at night

Meeting Atticus Atwood had been his salvation, until the anisation, the Order of Thehter and then promptly died under suspicious circumstances

“I hardly think that’s fair, Daventry,” Newberry said in response to Miss Atwood’s co her father’s journals “All potential purchasers should be allowed to exaoods”

Lucius glanced at the lady in the jaunty green hat that inal woman of his acquaintance The lady who saw fit to turn his life upside doith her snooping and witless comments

“Miss Atwood is, she could flaunt her impressive breasts and he would still be immune

As if hearing his thoughts, Newberry stole a glance at Miss Atwood’s generous boso the lord’s eyeballs fro them to the crows

“Persuasion comes in various forms, Mr Daventry,” said the lady who haunted his dreams

His ht have concocted a lascivious scenario, but he had conditioned hihts of Sybil Atwood

“Clearly you’re accusto their attributes as coht e to sway your decision”

“Nothing you could say or do would sway my decision, Miss Atwood” He hoped his razor-sharp tone conveyed his point The lady’s life was at stake, a life worth more than a selfish moment of pleasure

Newberry snorted “Then you’re a stronger man than I, Daventry”

Lucius ignored the half-hearted compliment “Should you still have an interest in the items, Newberry, I shall expect your letter this afternoon” He flicked his gaze towards the door as he had no desire to discuss the matter further

Newberry did not incline his head but departed with a ot what he wanted