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Chapter Nineteen

“Next time you lend ht visit with a whole entourage in tow” Ross Sandford, Marquess of Trevane, known to all as Vane, brushed his hair back from his brow “How the hell do you sleep when they make such a racket?”

“I would hardly call two children and a housekeeper an entourage” Christian scanned the sea of heads looking for Rose “Be thankfulto find those ebony locks scattered about the bedchamber floor”

Vane snorted “Only your son would have the nerve to attack a man twice his size”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Were you not the only boy in school to put Haystack Henry on his arse?”

Christian chuckled “Soht for those too weak to defend themselves”

Two ladies sauntered past, their eyes glistening as they feasted on Vane’s masculine form

Vane observed the crowd and turned to Christian “Good God, if it weren’t for you I’d be at horitted teeth “Do you see what you’ve done to me? Every lady with loose morals wants to eat me alive”

“And all the rakes and rogues have rushed to hide behind the curtains, tre with fear”

Vane raised a brow “You’re the only et thumped”

“Iother than I admire your ability to deal with scoundrels in the only th Christian possessed not to beat the reverend to a pulp “Of late,with vermin is to pretend they’re not there until they’ve eaten a hole in my breeches”

Vane offered his arm to his sister, Lillian, and they stepped into the ballroolances and excited whispers “You have to convey a respectable demeanour You have children to consider I have none It makes a vast difference” Vane’s mouth twitched at the corners “But I’d rather not see your bare behind if it’s all the same”

“You don’t knohat you’re ”

“I’ve seen your pert buttocks est you save that pleasure for your lady love e find her?”