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 I never sleep past sunrise.
Lottie nodded toward the path he had been contemplating.  Were you planning
to go that way? I wouldn t advise it.
 Why not?
 That path leads to marshy ponds and very deep bogs. One unfortunate step,
and you could find yourself drowning in mud that is, if you haven t been done
in by raft spiders or snakes. She shook her head in feigned regret.  We ve
lost some very nice guests that way.
He smiled lazily.  I don t suppose you would care to recommend an alternate
route?
 If you go the other way, you ll come to a bridlepath that leads to a sunken
lane. Follow it to the gatehouse garden, go through the opening in the hedge,
and you ll find a path that takes you to the top of a hill. From there you can
see lakes, villages, forests, all spread before you& the view is breathtaking.
 Is that where you re headed?
She shook her head and replied impudently,  No, I am going in the opposite
direction.
 But who will save me from the bogs?
She laughed.  You can t accompany me, my lord. It would neither be seemly nor
wise.
If they were seen together, it would cause gossip. And it would most
certainly displease Lady Westcliff, who had warned her never to take a
 follower, as it was politely called.
 Do you wish to be alone? Lord Sydney asked. A new expression crossed his
face, so quick and subtle that hardly anyone would have noticed it.  Forgive
me. Once again I have trespassed on your solitude.
Lottie wondered at what she had seen in his eyes for that fragment of a
second& a desolation so vast and impenetrable that it shocked her. What could
have caused it? He had everything a person required to be content& freedom,
wealth, looks, social position. There was no reason for him to be anything
other than ecstatic over his lot in life. But he was unhappy, and everything
in her nature compelled her to offer him comfort.  I am rather too accustomed
to solitude, she said softly.  Perhaps some company would be a pleasant
change.
 If you re certain 
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 Yes, come along. She gave his athletic form a deliberately challenging
glance.  I only hope that you ll be able to keep pace with me.
 I ll try, he assured her wryly, falling into step beside her as she
continued her walk.
They approached the trunk of a huge oak that had fallen across the path.
Insects buzzed lazily through the rays of strengthening sunlight that streamed
in from above.  Look, Lottie said, gesturing to a dragonfly as it flew and
dipped before them.  There are more than a dozen varieties of dragonfly in
this forest, and at least a hundred different moths. If you come at dusk, you
can see purple hairstreak butterflies they gather right there at the tops of
the tr 
 Miss Miller, he interrupted,  I m a Londoner. We don t care about insects,
except to consider how they may best be exterminated.
Lottie heaved a theatrical sigh, as if vexed by his lack of interest in the
subject.  All right, then. I will refrain from describing the many varieties
of aquatic beetle we have here.
 Thank you, came his fervent reply.  Here, allow me to help you over that
oak 
 No need.
Lottie hopped onto the fallen trunk and walked along the gnarled surface,
showing off her physical coordination with no trace of modesty. When her
efforts were greeted with silence, she glanced over her shoulder and
discovered Sydney walking right behind her, his footing as sure and easy as a
cat s. A startled laugh escaped her as she made her way tothe end of the
trunk.  You are quite agile for a gentleman of your size.
Lord Sydney let the comment pass, his mouth twisting to indicate that his
agility was of no consequence.  Why did you become a lady s companion? he
asked as Lottie jumped to the ground, her feet rustling through the brittle
layer of leaves. He followed her, landing in the same spot she had. Curiously,
he did not make nearly as much noise as she had, despite the fact that he was
easily twice her weight.
Lottie chose her words with great care. She disliked talking about her
past not only was it dangerous but the subject filled her with melancholy.  My
family is poor. There was no other choice for me.
 You could have married.
 I ve never met anyone that I wanted to marry.
 Not even Lord Westcliff?
 Lord Westcliff? she repeated in surprise.  Why would I have designs on
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