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Page 167
teeth, ''for you to allow the master of this inn to care for his guests. You may retire."
She stared as though he had sprouted ears like the rabbits she treasured so. "But I thought"
His other new and uninvited servant had come into the room to clear the tables. He nodded to Mariah. "Perhaps you and Miss Smith can finish cleaning in the kitchen while I entertain."
Mariah's eyes flashed, and he had a sudden urge to grab her and kiss those sweet lips that immediately formed a protest. The impulse reminded him of the kisses he had already stolen, how delightfully she tasted, how her warmth and softness pressed against him had caused his body to throb, how
"I'll help, too, Miss Mariah," the dratted man Kerr said, standing and interrupting the moment. "I'm a wonder at cleaning dishes; we'll finish in no time."
"Thank you, Mr. Kerr," Mariah said. Her tone was as syrupy as the maple sap that ran in spring, and Thorn knew she taunted him.
Well, let her spend the evening with her Mr. Kerr. And the night, too. And perhaps she would wish to join the useless rake and his troop as they forged their way westward into danger.
Thorn would be better off, he knew, if she did.
But the idea made him wish to drive an ax into the nearest oak and chop it until naught but wood chips remained.

Mariah washed dishes in one basin, ignoring the way the hot water stung her hands. Holly rinsed in a second basin, then handed the dishes to Francis Kerr for drying.
Mariah had nearly forgotten what it was to laugh. She basked in Francis's flirtatiousness, appreciating the break from the deep emotions that always seemed rampant in Thorn's presence.
Appreciating, too, the recollection of the dark looks thrown at Francis by Thorn. Not that Francis modified his behavior in response. Flirting seemed as integral to his per-

 
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