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Page 164

| you always speak for her? Isn't she free to make her own decisions? Do you own her after all?" |

| Those words burned into Sasha's consciousness. She had wanted to devise a plan to prove to Ashton that their having made love meant nothingand that he did not lay claim on her because of it! This man, this stranger, was the perfect answer. The fact, even, that he and Ashton were bitter enemies made everything just perfect for the scheme that had just this moment hatched inside her brain! If she accepted this man's invitation to let him come calling, it would prove to Ashton once and for all that she did not want an intimate relationship with him. |

| Stanford slipped from his saddle and went to Sasha. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, gallantly kissing it. He then gazed determinedly into her eyes. "Stanford Sidwell at your service, ma'am. It would be my pleasure if you would accept an invitation to go on a buggy ride with me tomorrow," he said smoothly. "I have just settled on land across the river from you. Since we are both new to these parts, we could become acquainted with the terrain at the same time." |

| Ashton's face was red with anger. His violet eyes were dark, his jaw tight. "Stanford, I'm warning you" he hissed between clenched teeth. |

| "Ashton!" Sasha said, giving him a scolding glance. "You are being impolite to my caller. I would think that you would treat him with the respect that befits a man whom I have chosen to become better acquainted with." |

| Ashton's breath was taken away, as though someone had slammed a doubled fist into his chest. He looked disbelievingly at Sasha, not understanding |

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