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Treed She pointed to her chest “My…breath…”

“Shhh, I know” Slayde nearly sagged with

relief “ ’Twas just the fall” Slowly, he rubbed her back “Relax Your breathing will return to normal on its own” Another concerned look “Your ribs—I tried to shield them as best I could”

“They’re…fine” The tre evened out “Slayde…that man tried to kill me” She went ashen even as she said it

“Yes” The expression in Slayde’s eyes was positively murderous “He did”

“Was it Morland?”

“I don’t know He wore black clothing and a mask that covered his head and face I couldn’t even uish” A iven your excursion to Bencroft’s estate this …”

“M’lord! M’lord!” Seaford, the Huntley driver, rushed over “Are you hurt?”

Slayde rose, hoisting Courtney to her feet, assessing her carefully “I don’t think so, Seaford” He hooked an aret Miss

Johnston to the inn” For a split second, he averted his head, searching the now-deserted road before the across his face

Alongside him, Courtney shifted

His head whipped around “Can you walk?”

She nodded “Nothing is broken” An anxious glance at Slayde “What about you? You fell harder than I did”

“I’o”

Neither of them spoke until they reached the inn, both still in shock at what had happened Slayde took two adjoining rooht up shortly