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"You always did have a penchant for stating the obvious "

Spencer scowled "Eat your slop then, if that's what you want I' off in search of entertainment"

John raised a brow as if to say, "Here?"

"This place is ripe, I think" Spencer's eyes gleahed, glad to be rid of this man who had always been such an annoyance in his company He'd never liked Spencer, but he was a decent soldier, and England needed all of those she could get her hands on

He finished his meal and pushed the plate across the table The food had been tasty, but nothing seelass of whiskey

Oh, noas drunk Really drunk There were, he supposed, still a few things for which to thank the Lord

He let his head slump doard the table Ana's mother had been quite nervous, hadn't she? Her face, lined orry and fear, floated through histhese men around Especially one like Spencer

He heard a thu out of the ordinary

Spencer Oh, yes, that's who he was thinking about

Pain in the ass, he was Always bothering the locals, caring for nothing but his own aoing off in search of entertainment That was rather like him

Another odd noise-this one sounded like a woman's cry John looked around Didn't anyone else hear this? No one seemed to react Maybe it was because he was closest to the stairs

This place is ripe, I think

John rubbed his eyes Soainst the table to ease the nausea rocking his body Why did he have this odd sense that so was amiss?

Another thump Another cry

He walked slowly toward the stairs What rong? The noise grew louder as hethe second-floor hallway

And then he heard it again This time it was clear "Noooooooooo!" Ana's voice

John sobered in an instant He burst through the door, knocking it off one of its hinges "Oh, God, no," he cried He could barely see Ana, her slight for relentlessly into her

But he could hear her weeping "Noooo, noooo, please, noooo"

John didn't pause to think Crazed, he pulled Spencer up off the girl and threw hiainst the wall

"What the hell-Blackwood?" Spencer's face was as mottled and red as histo rest on his gun

"For God's sake, she's just some Spanish whore"

"She is a child, Spencer"