Suddenly forced to imagine herself in Deb’s place was a profound trauma to her sense of self-identity and worth. The realisation that the beauty tha... was the foundation of her smug self-satisfaction really was a matter of arbitrary chance that could be reversed had deeply shocked her. Then to discover that the family wealth and status she had enjoyed was actually stolen from the supposed charity case that she barely tolerated and frequently abused on a daily basis added to the image. "It has been building for a long time. I understand that he is a young man with normal desires."Grace was relieved that her husband did not seem angry or at least he was hiding it well. "He thinks we will perish and die alone if we do not have children." I could build a raft and we could try to find the shipping lanes," Walter said."But we know nothing about sailing. We would certainly perish." We might. An alternative would be for me to go alone and if I make it to help I will come back for. Doesn't matter. Perhaps he'd express his thanks and appreciation for your assistance another night." Paul, now I need to apologize to you. I'm sorry, but I misled you. Clint – his name is Clint Wilson – Clint sent the flowers as an expression of admiration, not as a thank you, and the dinner engagement tomorrow evening is a date." Hopefully a romantic date, she added to herself.Paul didn't speak for a long moment. "I see," he said, his voice flat, resigned."Do you, Paul? Do you truly. “How did you find me?” she demanded “I wasn’t finished,” Mark said with a smile “Did you really think I would let you just walk away? How I found you is irrelevant. What I’m planning now that I have ...” He grinned while looking her up and down. Clare couldn’t believe it. Just his eyes running up and down her body had her wanting him. Wanting him so badly, she had to tuck her hands in her pockets to stop from reaching for him. He reached out to her and pulled her against him, running his.