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Prologue

Yorkshire

Winter 1844

They were running for their lives

At fourteen, Tristan Easton ell aware of that fact as he sca docks They wouldn’t be togetherbookends with pale blue eyes--"Ghost Eyes" the gypsies called the to Pembrook And when they ithin each other’s shadow, they becah the ht haze, barely illuminated by the occasional lantern or torch, Sebastian led the way because he was the older by twenty-two hth Duke of Keswick, now that their father was dead--ain the titles and properties But three lads stood in his way Tristan was of a h his heart was gallopingahead of the ominously around it Bitter bile rose in his throat as the stench of brinefish assaulted his nostrils

Sebastian staggered to a stop, swung around--his black hair flopping into his eyes--and grabbed Tristan’s shoulders "You understand that I have no choice We er brother, Rafe, when he delivered him to a workhouse But Rafe hadn’t understood Not really Four years their junior, he’d reacted the way he usually did when the twins formed plans that didn’t include hied not to be left behind What a sniveling little pup!

Tristan was above putting on a sih he could barely breathe with the dread of what awaited hih he had to claether so they didn’t betray that he was shaking with fear Tiny chilled tre But he wouldn’t add to Sebastian’s burdens He’d be a man about this, prove his worth

He wished Sebastian hadn’t stopped, hadn’t given hi Their uncle, Lord David Easton, had locked them in the cold dark tower at Pe their father’s funeral Theirdead They were in their uncle’s care now, and it seemed he intended to rid hi in that prison if Mary, their neighbor’s daughter, hadn’t helped them to escape Tristan had wanted to use the opportunity to slay their uncle then and there, be done with the troubleso until they were men, better able to co into hiding Where better than far froave a brisk nod in response to his brother’s earlier words He clenched his hands into balled fists to keep the Sebastian’s shirt in a last vain atteers tightened, digging painfully into Tristan’s shoulders "Reht we escaped, we e, I swear to you upon ain

"All right then"

Sebastian continued along the dock until they caht A large reatcoat barely stirred in the breeze co the left side of his face brought the corner of his mouth up into a mockery of a smile His eyes were as black as sin

A shiver skittered down Tristan’s spine He wanted to turn on his heel and head to the stable where they’d tethered their horses He wanted to cli Instead he forced himself to stand beside his brother as he faced the captain to whom Sebastian had spoken in a tavern earlier

"Have you the coins?" Sebastian asked