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she would never learn; thus, it is her duty to accept even such advances as thy shock" |
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"You are making a May-game of me again," Sybelle said, laughing and pulling her hand away. "You know I am not likely to be shocked by being wooed." |
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Walter grinned at her. "Perhaps, but you must see it is to my advantage that you should feel it your duty to endure a kiss or two. After a time you might become accustomed, even find pleasure in it." |
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Sybelle opened her eyes wide. "I could endure the kisses with fortitude, I think. They will not be the first forced upon mealthough I promise not to strike you as I struck the others, since we are pretending betrothal. However, I am puzzled by your assurance they would be to my taste. Would it not be safer to bind me by contract first" |
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"Oh ho, little wasp, you have unsheathed your sting, have you?" Walter's eyes had again lost their mildness and glinted brightly blue, but only for a moment. Then he drew his face into a caricature of injured innocence. "Do you know that the best way to remove a sting is with the lips? Now that you have wounded me, will you not suck out the venom?" The questions were asked with sighs as spurious as they were pathetic. |
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Sybelle bit her lips, partly because if she dared open them, she would laugh, but also a trifle in chagrin. Walter was easily as clever as her father, she thought, and there was pride in the thought, but there was also the recognition that he would not be easy to deal with. She could not run circles around him in talk as she could with most other men. |
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Meanwhile, Walter's expression had brightened, as if a very good idea had just come to him. "Come," he said, all eager innocence, "we can accomplish two purposes at once. You can cure me and discover whether my lips are distasteful." |
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"You are bold to fling a challenge here in the hall where you know propriety must prevent me from accepting," Sybelle countered, but her cheeks were red as fire again. |
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Walter clicked his tongue in disapproval. "No, my love, that was a bad leave. I hope you are better at chess. I must teach you tactics. Now I have only to say 'Come away to a private place,' and where will you be?" |
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"Right here," Sybelle snapped. "It is only a man who is afraid to back down on an unwise word." |
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