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"No, I'," Penelope said, "I insist that you see Miss Dent horatefully She didn'this questions just now, but the alternative andering the countryside with no place to go "Yes, I would appreciate that"

"Excellent It's not far, you say?" His lips curved ever so slightly, and Caroline wished she could tell whether his smile was one of irony or supreme irritation

"No," she replied "Not far at all"

"Then I propose that alk"

"Yes, that would probably be most convenient"

"I ait here, then," Penelope put in "I'm sorry I cannot accompany you home, but I' you, Miss Dent Oh! But I do not even know your given name"

"You lance, looking a bit surprised and intrigued that she had not used an alias

"If you are Caroline," Penelope replied, "then I arasped her hands and squeezed affectionately "I have a feeling we are going to be splendid friends"

Caroline wasn't certain, but she thought she heard Blake mutter, "God help me," under his breath And then they both s?" Caroline whispered

"To hell with that," he hissed back, glancing over his shoulder to make certain they were out of ear-shot of the house, even though he knew that he'd shut the front door behind hi on?"

"It wasn'this steps away fro that staterinding him to a halt "What do you think, that I sent your sister a note and asked her to pay you a visit? I had no idea who she was I didn't even know you had a sister! And she wouldn't have even seen hed, beginning to realize what had happened It was an accident--a great, big, huge,accident His life see to do with you?"

"I have no idea I certainly can't re You yourself told me that your family doesn't know about your work for the War Office I assume that includes Penelope?"

At Blakes's curt nod, she added, "If she discovers that I have been staying at Seacrest Manor, she will undoubtedly learn of your clandestine activities"

Blake swore under his breath

"I don't approve of your secretiveness with regard to your family," Caroline said, "but I will respect your wishes Penelope is a dear lady I shouldn't want her to worry over you That would upset her, and it would upset you"