Mr Greengrass had said that she was not old. Begonia smiled, charmed at his lovely compliment. She continued to fan herself, and look up at him through heavy eyelashes.

"Oh no," Begonia replied, "You are certainly not old. Twenty four is young for a man." - which was in fact, actually very unfair. Begonia had to force her mind to push away such thoughts, and kept her coy smile plastered on her face - "You are young and so agreeable - and a man of means now. I am sure you will be fighting the debutantes away. I am sure you count yourself lucky to have me shielding you from them."

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