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Seeing what a splendid ti Gideon, Livia found an irrepressible grin breaking out, tiaze wouldblue eyes held an expression that made her breath catch

Finally the lecture on tobacco was diverted to the subject of etiquette, and then into theeven as Gideon seehly entertained by Mrs Smedley’s pronouncements

"…one should never marry someone who is similar in form, temperament and appearance to hientleman, for example, should not marry a brunette, nor should a corpulent irl The warm-hearted should unite with the cold-blooded, the nervous should be paired with the stoic, and the passionate should marry the cerebral"

"Then it is not advisable for two passionate individuals to wed?" Although Gideon was not looking at Livia, he soed to avoid the kick she aimed at the front of his shin Her foot connected harmlessly with a lacquered panel

"No, indeed," was the emphatic reply "Just think of the excitable natures of the children!"

"Terrifying," Gideon said, raising his brows nificant," Mrs Smedley said "Only those of equal situation should marry…or if there be inequity, the husband should be superior to his bride It is impossible for a woman to esteem a man who is below her station"

Livia tensed suddenly, while Gideon fell silent She did not have to look at hi of McKenna and Aline

"Will I have an opportunity to see McKenna in London?" she asked Gideon, while Mrs S, oblivious to the fact that she wasn’t being listened to

Gideon nodded "To me to the theater"

"Yes, I would like that" She paused before asking in a low tone, "Has McKenna ave her a wary glance "Yes"

"Has he given you any indication of the nature of his feelings for her?"

"One could say that," Gideon replied dryly "He’s quite bitter--and keenly desirous of revenge The wounds she dealt hio were so deep as to be nearly lethal"

Livia felt a rush of hope followed closely by despair "None of that was her fault," she said "But she’ll never bring herself to explain what happened, or why she behaved as she did"

Gideon stared at her intently "Tell me"

"I can’t," Livia said unhappily "I promised my sister that I would never reveal her secrets Once such a promise was made to me by a friend, and then she broke her word, and it caused reat deal of pain I could never betray Aline that way" Unable to read his expression, she frowned apologetically "I know that yousilent, but--"

"That’s not what I’?"

"That everything I learn about youfor a second, stunned by the ad time for her to speak "Gideon…"

"You don’t have to say it back," heso in return"

There were two kinds of theatergoers--those who actually went to enjoy the play, and then the great majority ent for purely social reasons The theater was a place to be seen, exchange gossip, and carry on flirtations Seated in a box along with Gideon Shaw, McKenna, Mrs Save up all attee, as h the entire performance Instead she sat back and watched the parade of men and women who came by their box It was remarkable, the amount of attention that tealthy American industrialists could attract

Gideon was an expert at social banter, appearing relaxed and s as he chatted with the visitors McKenna, on the other hand, was farhis words with care Dressed in a formal scheme of black and white, he was the perfect dark foil for Gideon’s golden elegance Livia was more than a little intimidated by McKenna, and awed that Aline held a lass of lemonade for her, and a cordial for Mrs Smedley, Livia had the opportunity to speak with McKenna more or less privately, as her chaperone was deaf as a post McKenna was polite and a bit distant, certainly see anyone’s sy sorry for hins of fatigue in his swarthy face, and shadows beneath his eyes that bespoke hts She kne terrible it was to love someone that you couldn’t have--and it was even worse for McKenna, because he would never knohy Aline had rejected hiuilty conscience re McKenna to be sent away froo, she felt herself turn red To her consternation, McKenna noticed the telltale blush

"My lady," he murmured, "does my company disturb you for soaze as he replied gently "I think it does I will find another place from which to view the play, if it would ease your discoreen eyes, she reht of the apology she had wanted to itation filled her as she considered the promise she had made to Aline--but that promise had been never to talk about the scars She hadn’t promised not to talk about their father’s manipulations

"McKenna," she said hesitantly, " tio An injustice that I did to you, actually"

"Are you referring to the tiht frown "You were only a little girl"