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“Oh, I will not be able to focus if I can feel your gaze upon me You can trust me, Tristan I shall not leave this room”

He trusted her; Henry Fernall was another matter

“Then I ander about the ballrooame for a while, if they allow spectators” Matthew Chandler would need so hi he owned Besides, Chandler was a fountain of knowledge when it came to the habits of his peers No doubt he knew so “But before you go, you should know Henry has a ht be important”

“A ?”

“Apparently, he is thought to be besotted with her”

“I assued in response, she added, “Then our conversation ”

A sudden wave of anxiety gripped him “If we cannot find each other in the crush, we should meet on the terrace”

She placed her gloved hand on his arreed”

The heat froht a measure of comfort “I shall wait for you,” he said as she turned to walk away

He would wait a lifetime

Chapter 16

Isabella found Henry Fernall conversing with a group of gentle out of the ballroo shoulders anywhere

Catching the attention of a portly gentleman as she approached, he inclined his head, the action causing Henry to turn around His mouth curved fractionally at the corners, the weak expression of pleasure lasted for all but a few seconds

After turning back to bid the men farewell, he walked towards her “Isabella You should have sent word you were attending this evening I would have escorted you” He scanned her goith so so radiant Are you here alone?”

She chose to ignore his question “I have just returned to town after a short spell at Highley Grange”