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Doht of the sheer pleading on Isobel’s face Frowning in consternation, the questions he wanted to ask her froze in his throat Iht by the sheer terror in her eyes as she glanced over his shoulder, warning hi threat He didn’t need to turn around to knoas there

Ignoring the squat man, whose presence he could sense directly behind hiainst every protective instinct within hiave her the protection she so desperately needed, the only way he could

“I gave you your duties this , lad,” he snapped i errands for the Cook? Get back to the Hall this instant!” His voice was stern and brooked no argument His eyes locked upon Isobel’s for an instant and he sloinked, aware of her stunned surprise He tried desperately to convey all the e, pleading with her to trust hio!

He almost burst with frustration when she hesitated, her delicate brows puckered in confusion Deterentle shove toward the road, and away fro threat of her uncle

Without hesitation, she suddenly launched into action and disappeared into theon the main street He hoped with all of his heart, that she had the wisdom to seek sanctuary at Havistock Hall

It took every ounce of self control he possessed to turn toward the rotund little lare nonchalantly at him A dispassionate brow raised in contemptuous enquiry

Inwardly, he wanted to beat theupon reserves he didn’t know he had, he stared coldly down at Isobel’s Uncle Rupert silently, s cynically as the littlestare

“Good , my lord,” Rupert Davenport announced with a jovial smile that did little to reach his beady brown eyes His ineffectual bow of politeness wasn’t returned

“What do you want Davenport?” Do “I don’t believe we are well enough acquaintances for you to approach uise the contempt in his voice, and felt a small measure of satisfaction in the squat littleas he tried to find a way around the aard situation he was currently in, without losing face

“I had heard you were dead,the heavily cloaked figure disappear into the bustling throng with interest His attention was drawn back to the loo presence of the man beside him, as he snorted with derision

“Sorry to disappoint you old htly towards the olderinwardly, he knew he had just given Isobel a chance of escaping the vile creature before him

Luckily for Rupert Davenport, civility decreed it impolite to simply beat the man senseless there and then, and leave his carcass by the side of the road for the rats

“How is Peter Davenport?”

Dominic wasn’t fooled by the conversational tone of the older man

“I understand you are good friends with hi?”