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"Did you alin?" India asked Vander, delighted to think of the two of theht in his eyes that was remarkably attractive "The only one I couldn’t beat was Thorn And that’s because he’s an underhanded fighter--as you can iine"

India raised an eyebrow "Indeed?"

Thorn rocked back on his heels, and the look in his eyes wasn’t warht before And Feather’s exploits "Those felloere bound by the rules of civility," he said, drawling the words so that he sounded exactly like his father, the duke "I never have been"

Vander intervened "Lady Xenobia," he said, "I would love to discuss sliding doors, but I see that Lady Adelaide is suod India’s hands She bent close and whispered, "And both those young men are completely smitten, my dear"

"You are mistaken," India replied, as softly "We both knohere Thorn’s affections lie, and I have barely met Lord Brody"

Adelaide chortled "Oh, really? What do you think they’re discussing right now?"

India glanced over her shoulder to see that Vander and Thorn were indeed talking to each other with unhappy looks on their faces One ainst one another," Adelaide said happily

"They are probably discussing the weather," India said firmly "I haven’t said hello to Lala yet, and I must inquire about Lady Rainsford’s health"

Lala and Eleanor were seated in chairs that India had arranged before the great s looking toward the back gardens She and Adelaide joined them, and discovered that Lala--who, in India’s experience, was al accompanied Dr Hatfield on his rounds

"The baby," Lala was saying, "is no bigger than a scrap" She cradled her arm to show Eleanor the size "But she has a tuft of red hair, and she was quite good at nursing!"

"Did Dr Hatfield allow you to see a child being born?" Adelaide asked, scandalized

In the nor lady was allowed to witness so so indecorous Last year, however, Mrs Carlyle had deiven in India had found it fascinating A bit terrifying, but fascinating

"Certainly not! Little Martha is teeks old," Lala said

Her eyes shone, and she went on to discuss the medical aspects of the mother’s confinement in a way that made India seriously rethink the commonly held presue wheel, if not two

Thisthe thread of the conversation when Lala went on to tell Adelaide and Eleanor the proper treatlimpsed this side of Lala, but Thorn must understand her better than anyone

When the dinner gong sounded, the duchess took her husband’s ar, please accompany Miss Rainsford to the table Lord Brody, would you be kind enough to offer an arm to both Lady Xenobia and Lady Adelaide?"

Adelaide chattered all the way to the dining roolanced down at her and his smile widened Thorn, on the other hand, was obviously still cross; as he pulled out Lala’s chair, he snapped India a look that held h what he had to be angry about, she didn’t know

True, Starberry was no longer her concern, but she couldn’t help but notice hoell the staff had followed her directions regarding the table setting Lush white peonies in low baskets graced the ht three different settings--were slate-blue Japanese silk brocade that accented the gray-green walls