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But when he entered his hoone out Jasper nodded to the butler and gave hi the stairs to the upper story

Strange She’d only lived here less than a week, and already her presence was imprinted on the house She hadn’t redecorated the rooms or replaced all the servants, but she’d s The elusive scent of her Neroli perfu room, the fire that was always laid there, the thread of yellow silk he’d found on the carpet the other day It was alhost He reached the upper hall and turned toward his rooers touched the doorknob, and then he was inside her rooms before he could rethink the iht not’ve been inhabited at all The hangings were freshly washed, of course, in preparation for a new viscountess She had the sa table and chair, and several low chairs by the fireplace For the first ti of her own furniture when she’d come to live here

He wandered to the wardrobe and opened it, seeing rows and rows of dull-colored dresses Her bed was neatly ive it her own touch The bedside table held only a candlestick, no pins or a book shetable A gilt and ers through the bristles but couldn’t find any hairs She had a small china dish to hold her hairpins and next to it, a pretty ivory box Inside was her jewelry--a few pins, a string of pearls, and the garnet earrings he’d given her He closed the box There was a single drawer in the dressing table, which he pulled open but found only ribbons and lace and ently and looked around the roo of her own, some possession that had special value to her

If she did, she kept it well hidden He crossed to the chest of drawers and pulled out the top, finding linens neatly folded The scent of oranges rose as he fingered them The next drawer held the same, and the third as well, but underneath the linens in the botto He sat on his heels to exath of his thuotten such a thing? Surely her father and brothers, if they took snuff, owned much fancier boxes?

He pulled back the little hinged lid Inside was a silver button, a tiny china dog, and a pressed violet He stared at the button, then picked it up It ra it He placed it back in the little tin box He hadn’t a clue what it or the other itenified to her, why she saved them, if they even were important to her or perhaps only placed there on a whiht: he didn’t know her, his wife

Jasper closed the tin snuffbox and replaced it under the linens in the bottom drawer Then he stood and looked around the room He wouldn’t find her here The only way to learn Melisande would be to study the lady herself

He nodded to himself, decision made, and left the room

Chapter Six

Well, this was a terrible thing, but what could Jack do but continue on his way? After walking for another day, he caates, people stared and laughed, and a little crowd of boys followed hi chin

Jack thren his pack, placed tiny hands on hips, and yelled, "D’you think ure of fun?"

And then behind hih, but this one was soft and sweet When Jack turned, he beheld the olden hair and rosy cheeks

She bent down and said to him, "I think you the funniest little man I’ve ever seen Will you come and be my fool?"

And that was how Jack becathe„

--fro her usual coddled eggs and buns the next ht o’clock--when so unusual happened Her husband entered the breakfast room

Melisande paused with her cup halfway to her lips and darted a quick glance at the china clock that stood on the side table She hadn’t mistaken the time The clock read 8:32

She took a sip of her chocolate and set the cup precisely back down on the saucer, glad that her hands didn’t tre, my lord"

Lord Vale s in a way she’d always found devastatingly char, my dearest wife"

Mouse ca eyed each other Then Mouse wisely conceded the moment and retreated to his lair

Her husband strolled to the sideboard and frowned "There isn’t any bacon"

"I know I don’t usually eat it" Melisande beckoned to the foots, a few buttered kidneys, toast, and a fresh pot of tea for Lord Vale Oh, and ood marmalade"

The footman bowed and left the room

Vale came to sit opposite her "I a"

"Of course" She’d been studying him for years, after all "That is one of a wife’s responsibilities"

"Responsibility," he murmured as he slouched in his chair His lips twisted a little as if he found the word distasteful "And is it the responsibility of a husband to knohat his wife eats?"

She frowned, but as she’d just put a forkful of egg into her mouth, she couldn’t reply

He nodded "I think it s, buttered buns, and hot chocolate No jam or honey for your buns, I see"

She sed "No Unlike you, I don’t much care for jam"

He slouched farther into the chair, his turquoise eyes lazy "I admit I have a sweet tooth Ja and I just ht lick it off"

"Would you?" She could feel her belly heat at just his words, wicked, wicked man

"I would indeed Would you like s I could spread treacle on?" he asked innocently

"Not at the moment, thank you"

"Pity"

She eyed him She was terribly pleased that he’d joined her, but what an odd mood he seemed to be in

"No"

"I’ve never known you to rise before eleven of the clock"

"True, but you’ve only been married to me less than a week Perhaps I habitually rise before nine or even five, like a crowing cock"

She felt a blush begin to heat her cheeks "Do you?"