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could come'

'Perhaps you should have brought her, anyway'

'And have her sabotage the whole weekend? Clare, I could reason with her until Kingdos that reinforce her prejudices about you, abouthappy We'll be back toht have calh to open the lines of communication I want her to realise that it's herself she's punishing, more than me, with this silent treatment'

'You…you did tell her that nothing happened…' Clare began, trailing off unhappily when he measured her with a look

'But so did happen, Clare'

'Well, I hope you told her that ouldn't be… I inia's while you're at the school'

'But you're not'

'W…what?'

That had been the first shock That David had rung Virginia and told her of a change of plan To fully appreciate the faht there

'But…I…'

'It's all arranged, so you ed satisfaction that struck an oddly discordant note 'Virginia's on my side on this one; she'd make your life hell if you tried to stay there now She wants the school to grab every chance it can get to convince you of its merits'

'I could book in at a hotel,' Clare said loftily, knowing that he was right

'Then o'

His presu to Auckland for any reason other than to look at the school—'

'You ? I wouldn't dream of it The chaste Widow Malcolm? Unthinkable! Don't worry, Clare, your priceless virtue will be safe at the school No late-night visitors allowed in the staff bedrooood exaly honest they can be You'll be quite safe Lonely, maybe, but safe…'