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Colonel Brandon’s expression remained composed. “He has improved.”

Edward waited.

Brandon sighed. “At least, I believe I am obliged to say so.”

Edward’s mouth twitched. “You are obliged to say no such thing to me.”

“No,” Brandon admitted it. “I suppose I am not.”

They continued a few steps.

“He was respectful,” Brandon went on. “He spoke civilly to everyone. He was attentive to his wife, and from what I could observe, appears to be a very obedient husband.”

“Obedient?”

“Entirely.”

Edward looked at him with amusement. “I confess, Colonel, that I never expected to hear you praise Mr. Willoughby’s obedience.”

“I did not praise it.”

“No?”

“I merely observed it.”

Edward laughed softly.

Brandon’s expression finally betrayed the faintest smile.

“His wife appears to keep him on a rather short leash.”

“Ah.”

They walked on. After another moment, Brandon added, with rather more dignity than the subject deserved, “I was obliged to keep an eye upon him.”

Edward looked at him. “Were you?”

“Certainly.”

“For Marianne’s sake?”

“No.”

Edward’s smile widened.

“Colonel.”

“I assure you, I conducted myself with the utmost propriety.”

“I have no doubt.”

“If Mr. Willoughby so much as turned his head in Marianne’s direction, I looked at him.”

Edward stopped walking. “You stared at him?”

“I looked.”

“Colonel, you have always been a man of considerable precision. I suspect there is a difference between looking and staring.”