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He took her in his ar

“You and I were aworse I have to stop it”

“Francesca, irl…”

“No” She pushed him away

They said nothing more until the cab reached Wensted Square and drew up outside the Tre the driver to wait, and then went to sound the knocker

There was a delay before anyone answered, and when the door was finally opened the servant looked half asleep “Fetch Mrs March,” Sebastian said, before Francesca could speak

The girl looked uneasy “She’s in bed, sir She don’t like to be woken once she’s in bed”

“Fetch her anyway And fetch Mr Tremaine while you’re at it”

She looked surprised, but Francesca nodded for her to do as she was told, and she hurried away Francesca led hi library, where the shelves were full of leather-bound books, and there was a large portrait hanging over the mantel It seemed to capture her attention, because she went to look up at it

“I’d forgotten this was here,” she said “It’s my uncle and his brother when they were boys”

Sebastian cast a glance over it They were both dark-haired, both pale-eyed, but whereas one of the and open-faced, the other was solemn and serious

Just then there were footsteps behind the of this?”

Mrs March in her night attire and a shaas thin and tall, with a haughty expression And Francesca was right, he thought, as he watched the woaze fix on her The housekeeper did resent her

“I want to ask you some questions, Mrs March,” Sebastian said in a level voice, and was glad when her eyes moved on to him and away from Francesca

“And you are?” she said imperiously