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Dennis a younger ardener

Blenkinsop the butler

Mr Basil Stokes the police inspector sent by Bow Street to investigate

Late July, 1835

Near Glossup Hall, by Ashmore, Dorset

Hell and the devil!” Sie high above Ashe proper lay just behind hi the leafy country lane

At the rear of the village cottages, the land rose steeply; a wo up the berm of what Simon knew to be ancient earthworks The views from the top reached as far as the Solent, and on clear days even to the Isle of Wight

It was hardly a surprise to see so up there

“No surprise she hasn’t anyone with her, either” Irritation raceful figure steadily ascend the rise, a long-legged figure that inevitably drew the eye of any nized her instantly—Portia Ashford, his sister Amelia’s sister-in-law

Portiathe Glossup Hall house party; the Hall was the only h from which to walk

A sense of being irew

“Datireed to stop by on his way to Soh the trials of the house party But if Portia was going to be present, he’d have trials enough of his own

She reached the crest of the earthworks and paused, one slender hand rising to hold back the fall of her jet-black hair; lifting her face to the breeze, she stared into the distance, then, letting her hand fall, gracefully walked on, following the path to the lookout, gradually descending until she disappeared froht

She’s no business of mine

The words echoed in his head; God knew she’d stated the sentis, most far more emphatic Portia was not his sister, not his cousin; indeed, she shared no blood at all

Jaw fir, he looked to his horses, took up the slack in the reins—

And inwardly cursed

“Wilks—wake up,behind hi on the brake, he stepped down to the road “Just hold them—I’ll be back”

Thrusting his hands into his greatcoat pockets, he strode for the narrow path that led upward, ulti the path from the Hall that Portia had followed up the rise

He was only buying hi her alone, unprotected fro, was simply not possible, not for him If he’d driven on, he wouldn’t have had a moment’s peace, not until she returned safe and sound to the Hall

Given her propensity for raht not happen for hours

He wouldn’t be thanked for his concern If he survived without having his ego prodded in a dozen uncoue like a double-edged razor—no way one could escape being nicked He knew perfectly hat her attitude would be when he caught up with her—precisely the same as it had been for the past decade, ever since he’d realized she truly had no idea of the prize she was, the temptation she posed, and was therefore in need of constant protection from the situations into which she blithely sailed

While she reht, out of his orbit, she was not his responsibility; if she caed to watch over her, to keep her safe—he should have known better than to try to fight the urge

Of all the females he knew, she was unquestionably the most difficult, not least because she was also theafter her despite his certain reception; he wasn’t at all sure what that said of his intelligence

Women! He’d spent the entire drive

west considering thereat-aunt Clara had recently died and left him her house in So him to review his life, to rethink his direction, yet his unsettled state had a enesis; he’d finally realized what it was that gave his older cousins and his sisters’ husbands their purpose in life