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She offered him her hand Two red scratches marred the otherwise porcelain skin And yet it crossed hisit to his lips and place a chaste kiss on her crea a sudden flutter of nerves, he took hold of her fingers, ignored the slight tremble and examined the soft tips

“The position at Morton Manor—” Christian stopped abruptly and suppressed a gri from his lips, and yet he’d spoken the words aloud twice in a matter of minutes “Was it to be your first post?”

“It was”

“And yet no one is in residence”

“No, my lord There’s a housekeeper, a maid and a few other servants”

“And who is your employer?”

The maid hesitated “It is not for me to discuss his lordship’s business”

Christian remained silent while he studied her Rose had obviously fallen on hard tie complained about the servants at the manor Some called them rude Others preferred the term vicious A woman of Rose’s delicate nature would be a prime candidate for abuse

“And what of your history, Rose?”

“My personal affairs are not open for discussion, my lord Please direct me back to the manor, and I shall leave you in peace”

Peace? This woht countenance would haunt his dreams

It was as he suspected A tragic family story had left her with noaddiction squandered the funds? One thing was certain He’d suffer eternal damnation before he’d let anyone with half an ounce of decency work in that iniquitous den

“What is your eht match it in the hope you’ll accept a position here After all, we are in dire need of help”

“Paying me?”

“I assuoodness of your heart”