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"Oh, but he--" Caroline started coughing wildly, trying to cover up the fact that she'd been about to blurt out that Blake employed only three servants, and of the

The countess whacked her on the back "Are you quite all right, Miss Dent?"

"Just--just sed a bit of dust, that's all"

"You sounded quite like a thunderstor"

"Really?"

"Once I was even rendered ine"

"Neither could I," Caroline said quite honestly, "until it happened"

"Well, I'm certain your throat must be terribly sore You must accompany us toto restore you"

Caroline coughed again--this time for real "No no no no no no no," she said, rather more quickly than she'd have liked "That is really not necessary I would hate to i After all, I need you to direct us to Seacrest Manor Offering you tea and a bit of sustenance is the very least I can do to repay your kindness"

"It's really not necessary," Caroline made haste to say "And the directions to Seacrest Manor are quite simple All you have to do is follow the--"

"I have a terrible sense of direction," the countess interrupted "Last week I got lost in my own home"

"I find that difficult to believe, Lady Fairwich"

The countess shrugged "It's a large building I've been married to the earl for ten years now and I still haven't set foot in the east wing"

Caroline just sed and s no idea how to respond to that

"I insist that you accoh Caroline's "And II always get my way"

"That, Lady Fairwich, I don't find difficult to believe at all"

The countess trilled with laughter "Miss Dent, I think you and I are going to get along faulped "Then you plan to stay here in Bournemouth for some time?"

"Oh, just a week or so It seeht back again"