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Tears well ed in Amelia’s eyes Miss Pool pulled her closer and offered solace in a war until she racked with hiccups, then she ed to cry some more

Final y empty of tears, she reached deep inside herself and found a bit of strength she had not known she possessed

"Go," A her nose into the handkerchief thrust at her Miss Pool was always prepared "I have held you here long enough"

"I will not leave you like this," Miss Pool protested

"I feel better Truly I feel so o for a walk to clear my head"

It was Tuesday, the day when Colin and his uncle had the afternoon to themselves They always ventured ahich meant the estate was safe to traverse

"Co "No, thank you I would much prefer to stay close to ho before Miss Pool reluctantly left for the vil age Then A about everyone--to ain made her nauseated

Taking a deep breath, she burst froed into the cover of trees As she approached the small fence with the intent to climb over it, a movement in the trees drew her up short

She ducked low and hid behind a trunk, watching as one of her father’s lackeysthe perimeter of the property He was an olderhis clothes to hang on his bony fraripped the hilt of a wicked-looking dagger

He paused and glanced around suspiciously Amelia held her breath, afraid to even blink as he craned his neck back and forth, searching the area

Forever see one far enough away that she would not be seen cli over the fence Then sheproperty, slipping into the wooded area before blowing out the breath she’d been holding "Heavens," she breathed, relieved beyond measure to have succeeded "What a ree"

Amelia jumped at the sound of the low, cultured drawl She spun about, then gaped at the gentleman who stood nearby

He was undeniably wealthy, as indicated by the fine quality of his gar He was pale and slender, almost pretty Despite the fact that he looked to be of si that proclaimed clearly that his as to be obeyed

A ant bow and introduced himself as the Earl of Ware Then he explained that the stream she so enjoyed was on his father’s land

"But you are welcome to it"

"Thank you, racious"

"No," he said dryly "I am most bored I appreciate the company, especial y when that company is the fair e," she murmured

"I am a fanciful fel ow"

Lord Ware took up her hand and escorted her to the strea industriously with a long stick He felt her gaze and looked up "I’l make you a pole, too"

"See?" Ware said "No more need for tears and reddened noses After all, what could be better than an afternoon on the shore with an earl and an urchin?"

She glanced aside at him and he winked

For the first time in days, Amelia sing with it a new day, the scene on the beach at Deal was revealed to those who stil drew breath Bodies littered the blood-soaked sand and floated in the gently lapping o unloaded and placed on carts that had long since rolled away

Christopher ignored the aches and pains that wracked every part of his body and stood stil , his hands steepled together and pressed to his lips To the ignorant, he ht appear to be lost in prayer, but those who knew hin to help a soul as black as his At his feet lay the ed hi the corpse to the beach

An older h sporting a bloody bandage "A dozen lost," he reported

"I want a list of their names"

"Aye I’l see to it"

A soft touch ca girl standing beside hi as saucers