“What about your cousin?” She had not removed her hand from his, allowing it to rest in his palm. He believed he likely should not and yet he did, begin to caress her knuckles with his thumb. “I had often heard you were promised to her and the advantages of such a union are considerable. It seems that this would have been the easiest solution to your dilemma.” “It is the clear answer, is it not? And I was most surprised that my uncle and Fitzwilliam seemed to think it a forgone conclusion. But as you have noted, I am selfish and though I have tried to attend to those things you have charged me
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