He was not prepared for that question at all, and it took him a moment to answer. "'Tis possible."

"Will other men think the same?"

"Other men do not believe Charlotte."

"But they might. I mean, they would not admit it if they did, would they?"

"Probably not, but I will not let anything happen to you."

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"How will you prevent it?"

He looked long into her eyes and then lowered his gaze. "I shall find a way." Hannish turned around and abruptly left the library.

*

Mrs. Olivia MacGreagor was not happy when she heard the ancient doorbell ring in the ancient Scottish cottage she was forced to live in. She sat at her dressing table in the horrid bedroom of her husband's horrid parents and stared at her face in the mirror.

"Lady Bayington to see you, Mrs.," said the butler.

Olivia cringed. "Send her away, I am busy."

The butler, who also served as footman and gardener rolled his eyes. "So am I."

She gripped her new brush tightly, slowly turned to face him and glared. "I shall send you away if you disobey me."

"You cannot. I work for the duke, not for you." With that, the butler left the room.

Olivia went back to staring at her reflection in the mirror. She waited for the front door to open and close, but when it didn't, it was obvious her guest was still waiting. With no choice, she put on her fake smile and went to the parlor. "My dear, Lady Bayington, how good of you to come."

Lady Bayington was expensively dressed, as always, and adorned with enough jewels to be the envy of all of London. She sat on the edge of a chair that was anything but new, displaying a fake smile of her own. "I've a devil of a time finding you, I do not mind saying. How are you, my dear?"

"Very well, thank you."

"My, but this is a cozy cottage."

"Lady Bayington, do get to the point of your visit. We have not been the best of friends lately, and I admit I am curious as to why you visit me now."

"We had a disagreement years ago, that is all. It does not mean we cannot be friends now. Who else knows you as well as I?"

"Then answer my question."

"Very well, I have come to ask if it is true; has Hannish petitioned for a divorce?"

"Divorce? He certainly said no such a thing to me. What have you heard?"

"Only that he has no plans to return to Scotland and I hardly think you can have a marriage living in two different countries."




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