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whitethroats. A huge, ungainly buzzard flapped its way toward the nearby bogs in search of breakfast.
Suddenly Lottie caught sight of a dark shape ahead. It was a man, roaming through the forest, his outline
partially obscured in the mist. A poacher, perhaps. Although Lottie stopped at some distance, he had
unusually sharp hearing. His head turned as a twig snapped beneath her boot.
Lottie held her ground as he approached. She recognized him at once, the fluid, almost catlike grace of
his movements. He was casually dressed in shirt-sleeves and a black waistcoat, with boots and decidedly
ancient breeches. Lord Sydney& looking disreputable and indecently handsome. She was surprised to
see him there, when all the other guests at Westcliff Manor were still abed. Even more surprising was her
own reaction to him, a surge of excitement and gladness.
 Good morning, Lord Sydney said, a faint smile playing on his lips. His dark hair was disheveled, and
his cravat had been carelessly tied.
 I wouldn t have expected you to be out at this hour, she said cheerfully.
 I never sleep past sunrise.
Lottie nodded toward the path he had been contemplating.  Were you planning to go that way? I
wouldn t advise it.
 Why not?
 That path leads to marshy ponds and very deep bogs. One unfortunate step, and you could find
yourself drowning in mud that is, if you haven t been done in by raft spiders or snakes. She shook her
head in feigned regret.  We ve lost some very nice guests that way.
He smiled lazily.  I don t suppose you would care to recommend an alternate route?
 If you go the other way, you ll come to a bridle path that leads to a sunken lane. Follow it to the
gatehouse garden, go through the opening in the hedge, and you ll find a path that takes you to the top of
a hill. From there you can see lakes, villages, forests, all spread before you& the view is breathtaking.
 Is that where you re headed?
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She shook her head and replied impudently,  No, I am going in the opposite direction.
 But who will save me from the bogs?
She laughed.  You can t accompany me, my lord. It would neither be seemly nor wise.
If they were seen together, it would cause gossip. And it would most certainly displease Lady Westcliff,
who had warned her never to take a  follower, as it was politely called.
 Do you wish to be alone? Lord Sydney asked. A new expression crossed his face, so quick and
subtle that hardly anyone would have noticed it.  Forgive me. Once again I have trespassed on your
solitude.
Lottie wondered at what she had seen in his eyes for that fragment of a second& a desolation so vast
and impenetrable that it shocked her. What could have caused it? He had everything a person required to
be content& freedom, wealth, looks, social position. There was no reason for him to be anything other
than ecstatic over his lot in life. But he was unhappy, and everything in her nature compelled her to offer
him comfort.  I am rather too accustomed to solitude, she said softly.  Perhaps some company would
be a pleasant change.
 If you re certain 
 Yes, come along. She gave his athletic form a deliberately challenging glance.  I only hope that you ll
be able to keep pace with me.
 I ll try, he assured her wryly, falling into step beside her as she continued her walk.
They approached the trunk of a huge oak that had fallen across the path. Insects buzzed lazily through
the rays of strengthening sunlight that streamed in from above.  Look, Lottie said, gesturing to a
dragonfly as it flew and dipped before them.  There are more than a dozen varieties of dragonfly in this
forest, and at least a hundred different moths. If you come at dusk, you can see purple hairstreak
butterflies they gather right there at the tops of the tr 
 Miss Miller, he interrupted,  I m a Londoner. We don t care about insects, except to consider how
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