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With a quick glance at the grandfather clock, Matthew said, “Tell hi shortly I’ll not leave here until I know Mrs Chandler is safe Perhaps it would be wise to let a footo all duties to at breakfast”

“Of course, sir I shall ements”

Matthew strode off in the direction of the ballroom while Hopkins hovered near the stairs Priscilla crept back to her chamber unnoticed Once inside, she peered out of the

With an air of deter footarden, and they scaer to round up the ard flock

While scouring the space beyond the topiary hedge looking for the bare-bottoentlelanced up at theWhen they finally locked gazes, his pursed lips and haunted expression conveyed only one euilt

For solass It was foolish to think the gesture would bring either of them con of recognition Then he turned away and marched off in search of his servants

Matthew Chandler was an enig, passionate, a man capable of love, or so she believed Then, in contradiction to what she knew of his character, he was often cold, indifferent, insular

She flopped down onto the bed as she considered her dile had to be done If they continued in the sa separate lives — love would forever elude them

Chapter 7

The e table drew Priscilla’s attention Despite struggling with other aspects ofthe first hour of the day with Matthew

Perhaps it was a good thing he’d chosen to remain in bed The dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep were hardly attractive And her mind was too preoccupied to partake in conversation Besides, did it matter if she ate alone? Did itboth activities unaided for the best part of twenty years and needed no encouragement or advice

The clock on the mantel chimed ten

Scoundrels never rose before noon Or so she’d heard By the time Matthew had returned home fro their

The burning question here in heaven’s name had he been?

Priscilla drew in a breath After his pro to do with bedding Lucinda Pearce Then again, perhaps their definition of faithfulness differed It see opinions on other reed to come to her bed on occasion, she’d simply not realised how infrequent that would be