myTempleofVesta."
That piqued Iphiginia's interest. "Are you constructing an antique temple, Lady Pettigrew?"
"Actually, I already possess one," Lady Pettigrew said, not without a touch of pride. "It is a wonderful
old ruin located in a charming grove on the grounds of our country house in Hampshire."
"How old is it?" Iphiginia asked. "It was built about thirty years ago by Pettigrew's father. The thing is, I
am not entirely certain it is accurate in every detail. I should very much like to restore it properly."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
In spite of her more pressing concerns, Iphiginia was captivated by the prospect of examining the
Pettigrew ruin. "As it happens, I made careful measurements and sketches of the ruin of a genuineTemple
ofVestawhile I was inItaly. I would he happy to compare them with your ruin, Lady Pettigrew. I might he
able to offer some suggestions on how to produce a more precise copy."
"Wonderful, wonderful. I am giving a small house party next week. I shall send you an invitation. Our
estate is only a day's journey fromLondon."
"That is very kind of you. I should love to come." It was a perfect opportunity, Iphiginia thought
jubilantly. The house party would give her a chance to search through Lord Pettigrew's country house
library to see if he had black scaling wax and a phoenix seal concealed there. At the same time she would
be able to view theTempleofVesta. Two birds with one stone.
The shop chimes banged suddenly and with such force that one tiny bell shuddered, bounced, and fell to
the floor. It emitted a tiny, stricken clang and then fell silent. Everyone turned toward the door as it
opened. Marcus strode into the showroom. He was dressed for riding in a black coat, breeches, and
gleaming ebony Hessians. He was bareheaded and his dark hair was windblown.
His amber eyes fixed instantly on Iphiginia with an expression of chilling intent. He started toward her,
moving like a raw, dangerous force of nature through the samples of dainty drawing room furniture and
the displays of fashionable drapery.
A deep sense of unease snaked through Iphiginia. Something was decidedly wrong, she realized. This
was not the indulgent, casually amused man who had kissed her last night.
It was Lady Pettigrew who broke the taut, tense silence that had settled on the shop the moment Marcus
appeared. She fluttered cheerfully.
"Masters," she exclaimed. "How good to see you. was just chatting with your close friend, Mrs. Bright."
"Were you, indeed?" Marcus did not take his eyes off Iphiginia. "I am about to have a chat with her
myself."
Iphiginia blinked at the tone of his voice. She saw Amelia's eyes narrow.
Heedless of the undercurrents, Lady Pettigrew smiled brightly at Marcus and gave him a shrewd,
knowing look. "I have invited her to attend a small gathering at my country house next week. Perhaps
you would also care to visit? I know you are not overly fond of house parties."
"No, I am not."
"But you may be quite interested in this one, my lord." Lady Pettigrew arched one brow. "I'm certain you
and Mrs. Bright would thoroughly enjoy a stay in the country. So much privacy available, you know."
It took Iphiginia a few seconds to comprehend Lady Pettigrew's subtle emphasis on the word privacy.
When she did, she felt herself turn pink. Lady Pettigrew was making it clear to Marcus that he and his
mistress would have ample opportunity for dalliance at her country house party.
Marcus's eyes moved reluctantly from Iphiginia to Lady Pettigrew's bouncy little snowball figure. "Very
kind of you, Lady Pettigrew. I shall consider your invitation carefully."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Lady Pettigrew glowed with triumph. "I am delighted to hear that, my lord. I am most anxious to have
Mrs. Bright examine myTempleofVesta, you see. I wish to obtain her opinion on the archaeological
exactness
That piqued Iphiginia's interest. "Are you constructing an antique temple, Lady Pettigrew?"
"Actually, I already possess one," Lady Pettigrew said, not without a touch of pride. "It is a wonderful
old ruin located in a charming grove on the grounds of our country house in Hampshire."
"How old is it?" Iphiginia asked. "It was built about thirty years ago by Pettigrew's father. The thing is, I
am not entirely certain it is accurate in every detail. I should very much like to restore it properly."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
In spite of her more pressing concerns, Iphiginia was captivated by the prospect of examining the
Pettigrew ruin. "As it happens, I made careful measurements and sketches of the ruin of a genuineTemple
ofVestawhile I was inItaly. I would he happy to compare them with your ruin, Lady Pettigrew. I might he
able to offer some suggestions on how to produce a more precise copy."
"Wonderful, wonderful. I am giving a small house party next week. I shall send you an invitation. Our
estate is only a day's journey fromLondon."
"That is very kind of you. I should love to come." It was a perfect opportunity, Iphiginia thought
jubilantly. The house party would give her a chance to search through Lord Pettigrew's country house
library to see if he had black scaling wax and a phoenix seal concealed there. At the same time she would
be able to view theTempleofVesta. Two birds with one stone.
The shop chimes banged suddenly and with such force that one tiny bell shuddered, bounced, and fell to
the floor. It emitted a tiny, stricken clang and then fell silent. Everyone turned toward the door as it
opened. Marcus strode into the showroom. He was dressed for riding in a black coat, breeches, and
gleaming ebony Hessians. He was bareheaded and his dark hair was windblown.
His amber eyes fixed instantly on Iphiginia with an expression of chilling intent. He started toward her,
moving like a raw, dangerous force of nature through the samples of dainty drawing room furniture and
the displays of fashionable drapery.
A deep sense of unease snaked through Iphiginia. Something was decidedly wrong, she realized. This
was not the indulgent, casually amused man who had kissed her last night.
It was Lady Pettigrew who broke the taut, tense silence that had settled on the shop the moment Marcus
appeared. She fluttered cheerfully.
"Masters," she exclaimed. "How good to see you. was just chatting with your close friend, Mrs. Bright."
"Were you, indeed?" Marcus did not take his eyes off Iphiginia. "I am about to have a chat with her
myself."
Iphiginia blinked at the tone of his voice. She saw Amelia's eyes narrow.
Heedless of the undercurrents, Lady Pettigrew smiled brightly at Marcus and gave him a shrewd,
knowing look. "I have invited her to attend a small gathering at my country house next week. Perhaps
you would also care to visit? I know you are not overly fond of house parties."
"No, I am not."
"But you may be quite interested in this one, my lord." Lady Pettigrew arched one brow. "I'm certain you
and Mrs. Bright would thoroughly enjoy a stay in the country. So much privacy available, you know."
It took Iphiginia a few seconds to comprehend Lady Pettigrew's subtle emphasis on the word privacy.
When she did, she felt herself turn pink. Lady Pettigrew was making it clear to Marcus that he and his
mistress would have ample opportunity for dalliance at her country house party.
Marcus's eyes moved reluctantly from Iphiginia to Lady Pettigrew's bouncy little snowball figure. "Very
kind of you, Lady Pettigrew. I shall consider your invitation carefully."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Lady Pettigrew glowed with triumph. "I am delighted to hear that, my lord. I am most anxious to have
Mrs. Bright examine myTempleofVesta, you see. I wish to obtain her opinion on the archaeological
exactness
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