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“All your belongings were on that ship?”

Her lips trereat deal more”

“So I gathered” He cleared his throat “May I ask your name?”

“Courtney…” she whispered, wondering why the pressure in her head and chest see “…Johnston”

“Well, Miss Johnston, one of your belongings did, in fact, survive the ordeal In fact, I only wish your transfer to leas to you” He pressed it into Courtney’s palm

She stared, her eyes bri with tears “Papa’s timepiece” Instinctively, she tried to sit up—and whi pain too acute to withstand

Instantly, his lordship rose and strode across the roo into the hall “Matilda,” he su some brandy Miss Johnston needs another dose of laudanum”

“Yes, m’lord”

Courtney fell back weakly, needing to find the words to thank him, to try to explain how much her father’s timepiece meant to her

“I…Papa gave me…”

“Later,” he replied, returning to her bedside “After you’ve rested, and the next ration of laudanum has had a chance to work”

“It hurts,” she htly shut

“I know Just lie still The medicine is on its way”

Courtney hadn’t the strength to respond It seemed an eternity before Matilda delivered the requisite brandy, supporting Courtney’s head so she could sip it

“Drink the whole thing,” her rescuer’s voice instructed from a distance “E