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"You never did enjoy that part of your elass in a mock salute and then sed the blood red contents in one uncouth s "I always feared that every life I ended would cling to me in some way, taint me, and that eventually they would make me unsuitable for Amelia"

"How romantic," Quinn jeered softly "One of the qualities I utter I could not live ht of the façade would quickly fatigue me"

"You assume that the man you sit across fros for Amelia is the façade Perhaps the opposite is true"

Quinn’s gaze narrowed beneath boldly winged brows "Then , Colin set his elass down and listened alertly "What do you want?"

He would do anything for Quinn, but the sudden portent of danger set his were packed and loaded aboard the ship In a few hours he would set sail and begin his true life, the one he had interrupted six years ago to becoe, wealth A e

"I have been told that Cartland is ent-General Talleyrand-Périgord"

Colin whistled "Cartland is one of the most impious men I have ever met"

"Which is why his association with the equally iings tonight," Quinn said, "while you are still here to see to my safety I simply need you to delay him if he attempts to retire early"

"Since he is aware that I depart at dawn, he will find it odd if I approach him"

"Be covert Most likely he will cause you no grief He is not known for being reclusive"

Nodding, Colin ran the posed scenario through histhat would interfere with his removal from France A few hours of his ti Quinn Cartland spentthe day Chances werethe door of one establisho directly from there to the wharf

"Of course I will help you," he agreed

"Excellent" Quinn gestured to an attendant for more wine "I am indebted to you"

"Nonsense," Colin dismissed "I can never repay you for what you have done for "

"Never doubt it"

Quinn raised his refilled glass in a toast "To the fair Miss Benbridge"

Filled with anticipation for the future, Colin drank eagerly to that

"What are you about?" Colinto the shadows of an alleyway and followed Cartland at a discreet distance

The man had left hisrather aieneral direction of his lodgings, Colin followed He could not have Cartland returning while Quinn ht was pleasant, the sky clear but for a few clouds A fulla Still, Colin wouldaway the hours until he could stand at the bow and breathe deeply of the crisp sea air

Cartland turned a corner, and Colin fell behind, counting silently until the appropriate lapse had passed and he could round the building as well and continue his leisurely pursuit

He made his move and paused, startled to find a private courtyard ahead Cartland stood there, engrossed in discussion with so Two brick posts held lanternsthe entrance to the outdoor retreat A small fountain and a neatly trimmed, tiny laere the only other ite his cloak around hiuise his frame in the darkness He was not an easy ht and sixteen stone, but he had learned the art of concealh, while he could attribute his size to his laborer parents, Cartland was also quite large, and his breeding wasonly because his father had bankrupted them, and he made certain that everyone kneas above certain tasks Killing was not one of them That was a duty he enjoyed far too much for Colin’s taste, which hy they associated with each other only when forced to by necessity

Creeping along the da to hear sonation

"you et your place! You are not"

"I will see to it, Leroux, provided I arow hly with one hand, while the gentlean to pace The sound of heels tapping restlessly along cobblestones helped to disguise Colin’s stealthy approach Cartland’s evening garments were covered by a short cape secured with a jeweled brooch that gleaht The other hly agitated

"You have not followed through with your end of our arrangement!" Leroux snapped "How dare you approach me for more money when you have yet to accomplish the task you were previously paid for!"

"I was underpaid," Cartland scoffed, his features hidden beneath the rieneral of your ridiculous demands, and advise him to seek someone more trustworthy to work on his behalf"

"Oh?" There was a sness to Cartland’s tone that alarht of the one, eut

There was a pained gasp and then a thick gurgle

"You can pass along so else for er and thrust it hoain "I am not a lackey to be set aside when I have outlived my usefulness"

Suddenly a dark for his hat aside The blade slipped free and clattered to the cobblestone Leroux sank to his knees, his hands clutching at the welling blood

Rolling and writhing upon the ground, the would-be rescuer fought brutally, delivering blows that echoed off the buildings around theed as Cartland gained the upper hand Pinning his assailant to the ground, he reached for the knife lying just a few feet away

"Cartland!" Colin abandoned his atte his cloak over his shoulder to bare the hilt of his small sword

Startled, Cartland pulled back, revealing a face etched with bloodlust and cold, dark eyes Thehis fist hard and fast, clipping Cartland in the te to the side

Colin ran through the posts that marked the entrance and pulled his blade free "You have much to answer for!"

"It won’t be to you," Cartland cried, kicking out with his feet

Sidestepping the assault, Colin lunged, piercing Cartland’s shoulder The man roared like a wounded ani, Colin turned his head to look at the unfortunate Leroux His open, sightless eyes betrayed his demise