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Page 11

| gled, sticky hair. "She's finally put that aristocrat from her mind?" |

| "Not quite," Ashton said, glaring from Rufus to Crispin. "And from the looks of things, perhaps it's best. If I can't depend on you to keep out of mischief, how can she be expected to put her trust in you?" |

| "Ashton, for gawd sake," Crispin fussed. "Have I ever let you down?" |

| "Excluding this foolishness today, not yet." |

| "And I won't." |

| "I don't think it's me that needs convincing, mate." |

| "Then I'll go and sweet-talk Sasha into believing in me." |

| Ashton took Crispin by the elbow and, with Rufus following close behind them, walked away from the merriment at the horse trough. He leaned close to his friends and spoke more softly, casting occasional glances across his shoulder, not wanting to be heard by troublemakers. There were plenty of them in this crazed city of wild prospectors. |

| "I'll worry about Sasha's feelings," Ashton said. "And I'll forget today's incidentthat is, if you've come to tell me that everything's been taken care of, as instructed." |

| "Everything," Crispin said, his hollow-cheeked face serious now. "All 'cept for the time and date. When will you know, Ashton? Sasha can't expect you to wait on her decision forever." |

| "Sasha's given me her pub earnings for the venture," Ashton said, looking through the pub window. "I'm not about to let her change her mind." |

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