18/02/2026 20:31

---

Morethan I would have done. It really doesn't help. ''Louise, there's one thing that puzzles me a bit. ''Oh, no,' she said, laughing.

But she had clearly made an effort; her hair wasfreshly brushed, and she was sitting up in bed on a pile oflace 'Poppy stayed downstairs, sitting sucking her thumbbeside Octavia, reverted suddenly to babyhood, while sheand Gabriel watched the news. Nico was a clever man, and ahugely competent businessman; he could surely take care ofhimself and his affairs. ''Can't what?''I can't marry you.