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“Conceited?” His response threw her

“You inferred et you alone in et you alone into premature conclusions?”

“I ” Rachel was too flustered to answer, suddenly caught by the thought that she ed hih color

An ashtray was attached to the railing post and Gard snubbed out the cigarette and dropped the dead butt into it When he looked at Rachel, she was still struggling for an answer

“I admit the idea is not without a definite appeal, but it isn’t behind the reason I invited you toa few ofothers I thought you ht like to join us—especially since you expressed an interest in the suite at dinner this evening”

“That was for Helen’s benefit” Rachel admitted the reason behind her inquiry

“Why?” he asked with a quizzical look

“Because she found our naer list posted in the Purser’s Lobby, with the same cabin number” She paused to lend emphasis to the last phrase “She remeether and came up with a wanton answer So I tried toa cabin”

A low chuckle ca the situation at all Her brief spate of eer

“I don’t think it’s funny,” Rachel said thinly

“It’s obvious you don’t” Gard controlled his laughter, but it continued to lace through his voice “It wouldn’t be the first time an unmarried couple shared the same cabin on a ship Why do you care what that woood enough”

“I knew I shouldn’t have expected you to understand” It was a muttered accusal as Rachel made to walk past hi to make him see her side of it

A black-sleeved ar her by the ar her back to face him Both hands held her when she would have twisted away A slate-colored turbulence darkened her eyes as Rachel glared up at him

“Why should it upset you soan affair?” There was a narrowed curiosity in his probing look “I’ested lazily

“Don’t be ridiculous” But Rachel strongly suspected that she had become too sensitive about any involvehts toward hiht from the start