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Lucius inclined his head, then turned on his heel and strode from the room

In truth, she hadn’t wanted hio, not in these dreadful conditions And what lady wouldn’t want a handso to her ablutions? His hands had been as cold as her feet, though she liked the tender, almost sensual way he’d washed her toes

Indeed, she thought of every soft stroke as she ree filled her head as she slipped out of the wet cloak Beneath, her dress was dae had To a tray laden with hot fruit punch, a bowl of lamb stew and a crust of bread

“A stor, ave the impression he’d not slept in weeks “And Mr Daventry said you’d need so to chase away the cold”

“Thank you, Toht have said that a passionate kiss from the master would heat her blood sufficiently

“Mr Daventry won’t mind if you eat here, ma’am” Tomas placed the crude wooden tray on the walnut table “No one’s lit the fire in the dining room, and it’s warmer here than in the bedchamber”

The ht to ht asleep tonight

“Then I shall settle by the fire and eat supper while I wait for Mr Daventry” She wondered if Toarth But how did one broach the subject? “Did you know my father?”

The man’s droopy lids twitched “I did, ma’am, and a more charitable man I never did meet If it wasn’t for himan’s noose”

Pride filled Sybil’s chest, not just for her father’s considerate actions “I trust they found evidence to absolve you of a crime”

“They proved Moses Maroney is a devil of a liar if that’s your , ma’am Said I stole three silver spoons when it was him who sold them to pay for his visits to that harlot at—” He stopped abruptly “Begging your pardon, ue”

Sybil smiled “Fear not Mr Daventry can be equally blunt in his delivery And you needn’t worry I can’t i to savefate, too”

“Then you’re in good hands, ma’am”

“The best,” she agreed, having experienced the power and skill in Lucius Daventry’s deft fingers “Thank you, Tomas”

The man bowed and promised to let her knohen Lucius returned And so she sat on the rug near the hearth, ate her meal and dried her clothes The heat relaxed her cold, tired limbs The hot punch containedbefore she curled up with a cushion and fell asleep