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“Julia was right about you,” Mrs Florence finally re her brandy “She once told me that you are not a happy ed Madeline to seduce you” She“Yes, I knew about her scheh I wasn't aware of her precise reasons for it I wanted you to have her I thought you ht fall in love with her—I fail to see how the irl like Madeline would make you happy”

“Daely

Mrs Florence appeared to be unie,” she advised “Iwon't change anything”

Soain control of his te you've said is true—and I don't believe a word of it—why did you come to me now?”

She gave hie “History has a way of repeating itself I find it ironic that you're about to behave exactly as your father did and condemn your child to the same life you had, with no one to protect hiht I should at least make you aware of the truth about your past, and allow you the chance to do the honorable thing by Maddy”

“And if I don't?” he sneered, a flush creeping over his face “There's not much you can do about it, is there?”

“If you won't take Maddy in, I will I have the means to ensure that she and her child will lead a corandchild, and I will do everything in my power to help him…or her”

Logan shook his head as he stared at the elderly woht be, but she I possessed an aruffly “I can almost believe we're related”

Mrs Florence seehts Another smile curved her lips “When you know me a little better, dear boy, you'll have no doubt of it” She rose froan auto ho with nore the mess you've helped to create?”

He let go of her with a scowl The honorable thing, of course, would be to —no, outrageous—to be forced into this position Besides, he had never been a particularly honorable man

He looked longingly at the brandy bottle, tempted to drink himself into a stupor

“You'll have a bald patch if you don't stop that tugging,” Mrs Florence said, her voice touched with amusement

Logan realized that he had reverted to his habit of pulling the front of his hair when distracted He let go of it with a muttered curse

“Your pride is hurt because Maddy deceived you,” Mrs Florence said “I's to heal But if you could e to look beyond your own concerns, you would realize that there is a frightened girl who needs your support—”

“I knohat my duty is,” he said tersely “I just don't know if I can stand to look at her again”

Mrs Florence frowned, i her cane on the floor while he went to the dressing table and took a long pull on the brandy bottle He was filled with the urge to punish Madeline, hu to her now nearly made him tremble with anticipation

“Will you come with me?” Mrs Florence asked

He set down the bottle, nodding briefly

“And will you offer for her?”

“I won't know until I talk to her,” he growled, fu for a fresh shirt “Now if you don't e my clothes…without an audience”

Ten

A clock chi the arrival of an asked

“She needs to rest,” the elderly woman said “I'll have the maid show you to another roo—”

“Where is she?” he repeated grih the house room by room until he found Madeline

Mrs Florence sighed “Upstairs The room at the end of the hallway But I warn you, if you disturb her in any way—”

“I'll do what I like with her,” he said coolly “And I don't expect to be interrupted”

Rather than look distressed, she rolled her eyes at the bit of theatrics and waved him on his way

Logan strode alone through the house, which see with antique clutter and theater mementos He ascended the stairs and located Madeline's room His chest was taut with anticipation as he clasped the brass doorknob He felt his blood pu fast in his veins The power of his reaction alarmed him…he was tempted to turn and flee…but he couldn't seeo of the doorknob His hand clenched around the polished metal until it turned hot from his skin

After a long tian entered the roo in the lock He saw the outline of Madeline's body on the bed, the loosely braided rope of her hair on the pillow Her brsts ular rhythm Suddenly he was shocked by the vivid ainst him, her naed body clasped to his

He sat in a chair by the bed, unable to take his eyes fro in nu to his body He thought of taking her now, stripping off her gown and entering her before she was fully I awake, burying himself in her tender flesh

For hours he sat with her in the darkness, Watching her sleep The sers curled and twitched, the turn of her head on the pillow There had been so many women in his life—erotic, talented, passionate women…and yet none of them had ever affected him as she did

He was glad that her conditionher at his convenience would be worth the mockery he would have to endure once all of London becaht” No doubt he would be the subject ofthrough his nose, being led by a pregnant shepherdess…no, the jeers would be even more fiendish than that People loved to poke fun at public figures, and he was a highly visible target

He thought of what his friends would say, especially Andrew, and reat amusement in the situation, an could dwell on the subject of Andrew, Rochester, and the question of his parentage, the s