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“Oh, for the life of ht her name was Susanna” Lavinia shook her head and chuckled “You shall have to keep re me, dear”

Lucas’ hearty laugh captured their attention, and they turned to find Daniel laughing too His dark eyes were alight with a

“Finally,” Lavinia said “I thought I’d never see that boy smile If anyone can pull him from his black mood, it’s Lucas I know I’m not supposed to have my favourites, but I do like a man with spirit Tobias had spirit Heavens, that lance”

“Lucas prefers the country air to the gri to steer the conversation away froardens bring out the child in him”

Lavinia nodded “As it does to us all A spell in the country will soothe anyin London, I assume the boy still owns the country estate?”

Daphne wasn’t sure how to ansithout offending the norance was the best policy

“Mr Thorpe—”

“Of course, Rainhah Hall,” Lavinia continued “But it has a certain chararden boasts lavish fountains and statues of nymphs and satyrs”

“It sounds wonderful,” Helena said

Rainham Hall?

Was that not the place Mr Bostock o home?

Good Lord Daniel Thorpe couldn’t possibly be related to a marquess He despised the aristocracy

“I’ued to hear more “If you believe Mr Thorpe is the son of the Marquess of Pulborough, then what reason can there be for hi? Why would he own Rainhah, the family seat?”

Lavinia leant forward “It’s the scandal, my dear The boy confirmed his identity when he told me his father had died before he was born The likeness is uncanny It cannot be a coincidence”

Daphne knew Daniel’s parents were dead and that a guardian had paid for his education “Mr Thorpe has neverabout a scandal”