ŷ������

“I meant all the way to Lady Armitage’s house, which will be the climax of our efforts. Once I have my amulet, you can withdraw.��
Alex laughed. “Oh dear, I do love you,�� he said��
And silence clamped down between them.
“Um,�� he added, pushing a hand through his hair. “Metaphorically
speaking, of course.��
“Of course,�� Charlotte agreed hastily. She realized she had stopped walking, possibly because her heart seemed to have stopped beating; she
began to stride once more along the street. “Do not look so concerned on
my behalf, Captain. It is a common enough statement. For example, I
myself love that house there with the wooden shutters. I love tea. I love
you, and your smile, and the way you sigh in your sleep. See, common.
Unconcerning. We are still enemies.��
“Mortal enemies,�� he agreed, smiling rather self-consciously.”