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Page 186

| station and perform the duties that are required of me," Sasha said, hanging onto her bonnet as the wind whipped at the bow tied beneath her chin. |

| Sending his horse on past the outer boundaries of the fence that outlined the land that Sasha could say was partially hers, Stanford cast her a glittering look. "then you do not miss the city?" he asked smoothly. "You do not miss working barefoot in that smelly pub?" |

| Sasha cast him a quick, angry look. "As I said, I am here of my own choosing," she said abruptly. "If I had wanted to remain in the city, I would have." |

| A strained silence fell between them. Sasha squirmed uneasily on the seat, trying now to focus on everything but this man at her side, who knew well how to grate against her nerves. Stanford turned the buggy toward the river, where blackberry vines crowded out tree ferns and lignum bushes and rushes choked large areas, much to the satisfaction of the ibises that gathered there to nest. Two plumed egrets, the plumes on their backs and chests rising like lacy veils, stood at their nest, touching each other tenderly. Chest to chest, beaks together, they momentarily entwined their necks. |

| "Do you see those birds? It's not often you see humans display such affection toward one another," Stanford said, his jaw tight. He looked Sasha's way again, studying her. "How is it with you and Ashton? Do you plan on marrying him?" |

| His sudden question about Ashton made Sasha tense up. She cleared her throat nervously. She had intended to ask the questionsnot be questioned herself. "Sir, my personal life is none of your |

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