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More lanterns flared to life around the number of individuals--Runners, soldiers, and lackeys

It was altogether too perfect The three ewick’s hold over St John, and Sedgewick ated

Welton’s hold over Maria

"Dear God," Welton breathed His head whipped toward Maria, his features contorted with pure rage Final y, he looked like the monster he was

"You will correct this, Maria, or you will never see her again Never"

"I knohere she is," she said simply "You have no hold on me, or her With your imprisonment, I will care for her As I should have all of these years"

"I have associates," he hissed "You will never be safe"

Christopher’s gaze narrowed "She will always be safe," he said in a low, fervent tone "Always"

Maria smiled "May God have no ton watched as Welton was clapped in irons by a Runner and Sedgeas led away by two agents As the wharf cleared, leaving only his carriage and St John’s, he set his hands at the sh of satisfaction After this night, he would assuredly be granted the recently opened position of coht with such reckless determination

Lost in plans for his use of his neer, he failed to register the patter of footsteps behind hi and poked at his flesh

He stil ed "What is the uest, my lord," Lady Winter murmured, "until "

"I caution you against underesti her," St John said "I have felt her blade more times than I care to adton said

"How unsporting of you," Lady Winter said

A grunt of pain was heard, quickly followed by several ton turned his head and found his coach in fisticuffs hat appeared to be a lonewas in no doubt

"Good God!" Eddington cried, watching with pure awe "I have never seen such a show of pugilistic expertise in ed by the spectacle that he offered no protest when his hands were bound behind hi now," Lady Winter said when he was secured She poked hiood measure

"Who is that roaned in surrender on the ground But no one replied

Later, he was pleased to see the Irishuarded roolasses

Truly, as far as prisons went, Lady Winter’s opulent home was the finest of theold, with brown leather wingbacks before a olden floral e, my lord," the Irishhtcap with me" His mouth curved wryly "Lady Winter and St

John have already retired"

"Of course" Eddington studied the other lass from him "You are the kept paramour I have heard whispered about"

"Siback before the grate and held his glass in two hands, seelanced aside with a look that would chil boiling water "Lest you think this is merely a social visit, my lord, I feel I should tel you bluntly that if Lady Winter’s sibling arrives with any injury at all, I will beat you to a bloody pulp"

"Christ" Eddington blinked "You’ve put the fear of God into ton tossed back his drink "Listen, Quinn It appears your present occupation will be…eliminated"

"Yes, it does appear so"

"I have a proposition for you"

Quinn’s brow raised