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"I--" She broke her words off, not willing toshe'd hoped he would be that husband

But he could obviously read her thoughts, for he turned away from her and said, "I won't marry you I can'ta prayer to God that she wouldn't start to cry "I never said you had to"

He turned around "Do you understand ht "I know all the big words, reazed upon her face, which wasn't nearly as stoic as she'd hoped "Christ, I never meant to hurt you"

"It's a little late for that"

"You don't understand I can never s to a dead woman," she spat out She immediately clapped her hand to her ive ed fatalistically as he handed her one of her slippers "There is nothing to forgive I took advantage of you For that I apologize I alad I had the presence of mind to stop when I did"

"Oh, Blake," she said sadly "Eventually, you're going to have to allow yourself to stop hurting Marabelle is gone You're still here, and there are people who love you"

It was as close to a declaration as she illing tofor his reply, but he just handed her her other slipper

"Thank you," she o inside now"

"Yes" But when she didn't i rooive you my bed but I don't trust Penelope not to coets her younger brother has grown up"

"It must be nice to have a sister"

He looked away "Take the pillows and blankets offcomfortable"

She nodded and started to walk away

"Caroline?"

She whirled around, hope flaring in her eyes

"Lock the door behind you"

Chapter 17

es-cu-lent (adjective) Suitable for food, eatable

I have often heard that even the nastiest of food seeree Gruel is gruel, no matter how loud one's stomach rumbles

--From the personal dictionary of Caroline Trent

Caroline awoke the followingto a knock on the bathroom door At Blake's order, she'd turned the key in the lock the night before--not because she thought he would try to ravish her in the night, but because she wouldn't put it past him to check the door just to see if she'd followed orders And she certainly didn't want to give hi her

She'd slept in her che the door a crack and peeking out One of Blake's gray eyes was peering back at her

"May I come in?"