“John laughed. “You know, I’ve heard all the sayings about the wrath of women, but whew, Scar, you have a temper.”The others chuckled.“Keep it in mind, John Little,” I warned him. I didn’t feel much like chuckling.He laughed. “I’ll be sure to inform Jenny Percy,” he said.I rolled my eyes, but this time I heard a small laugh come from Rob’s distant corner. “So she really kissedScar?”“Should have seen it, Rob! Scar’s right in the middle of giving her a talking-to, and Jenny lays one on her,” Muchcrowed.“So that’s how we shut her up,” John said.I knew he were fair close to me so I tried to kick him. It took a few attempts, but one finally hit something and I heard him whine, “Ow, Scar!”“And none of you jumped in to defend—her—her honor?” Rob asked, but it got broken up with laughs.“The lot of you are stupid blighters,” I snapped. “It ain’t for laughing.”This made them crack apart with howls.”

“Much were bent over in laughter. I pushed him, and he rolled to the floor without my intended insult. “Come off it!” I stamped my foot.“What’s so funny?” John asked, coming over in the middle of eating an apple. He tossed me an apple and I threw it at Much. He only laughed harder. “K-k-kissed Scar!” he hooted.“Someone kissed you?” John asked, turning to me. He didn’t look like it were too funny. “Who is he?”This made Much laugh more.“None of your business, John Little,” I told him.He stepped closer to me with a flat face that, if I could ape it, I’d never be kissed by a stupid girl when I didn’t want to be. “Who, Scar?”“Jenny Percy!” Much roared.John’s face broke open, like a smile could split a blackmood. “Wait till Rob hears this.”

“Ooh that’s him!” my mom cried jumping up and down.“Why don’t you date him, mom? You seem to really like him,” I smiled.She stopped jumping. “Oh, I couldn’t. He’s much too young for me,” she laughed wickedly and went to get the door.“Haven’t you ever heard of cougars!” I yelled after her. Sloane and her mom Tammi”

“I picked up the mop and started washing again as Rob struggled to his feet, red faced. John laughed, and Much covered a smile."You lot think this is funny?" I asked. "I'll unman you too if you wish it."They jumped back, and Rob grunted. "You haven't unmanned me, and I resent the implication of it.""It were a warning blow," I told him, shoving the mop 'cross the floor. "Next time I'll try harder.”

“Then I heard someone laugh. I wished I didn't know whose laugh it was, but I knew Will's laugh just like I knew he had a small scar right above his left elbow. You couldn't be reluctantly lust-ridden for someone without noticing stuff about them.”

“She thought I should woo you into removing the mask I told her you were wearing."She'd managed to surprise him yet again, to go by his expression and the lambent look that entered his eyes. "That sounds entirely too interesting. You have my rapt attention. Woo away.""I wouldn't know how," she admitted, lowering her head and suddenly feeling embarrassed."Move a little closer,m'dear. I promise I'll get the message."Her head shot back up. "You're entirely too bold,Rupert St. John.""I know.It's wonderful,isn't it?"She rolled her eyes. She supposed this Rupert was much preferable to the dangerous one she'd briefly met in Nigel's room.But which was the real St. John?Aware that the dance was going to end at any moment,she said, "Now it's my turn.Are you really a spy?""Good God,do you really think I'd say so if I was?" he replied,aghast, which was obviously feigned."I thought we were being honest.""No,you are being honest. I'm merely being delighted by it."Rebecca gritted her teeth. He'd finally managed to provoke her ire with his evasiveness. She stopped dancing, pulled away from his hands,and walked away.But she heard him call softly after her, "Wait! You haven't heard my dire warnings!""Keep them," she shot back. "I wouldn't believe them anyway."DId he have to laugh at that?”