He took both her hands in his, bent his head and kissed them.
Then, without another word, he was gone.
“Must you be such a fool as to waste your time with him?” Sir Harvey asked angrily.
The tone of his voice brought the blood to Paolina’s cheeks.
“He is unhappy and I have a right to speak to whoever I please,” she retorted. “I also think it insufferable that you should have prevented me from receiving his letter.”
“I could see that you liked him,” Sir Harvey replied. “And what is the point of getting yourself involved with a man who could offer you nothing save the position of his mistress?”
He spoke brutally, but instead of feeling shy and embarrassed Paolina only felt angry.
“I don’t expect to get something out of every man I speak to,” she said. “I do not debase myself as far as
