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Carefully lifting her hand off the sheet, he slid his fingers between hers, holding her hand pal a soft kiss on the soft skin of the back of her hand, he placed their entwined hands back on the bed before him Gently, he lay his head down next to them and allowed exhaustion to claim him

She was alive Now all he had to do was keep her that way

CHAPTER FOUR

Isobel slowly becaertips The soft, fine silk captured her fingers in its gentle snare, and tickled her fingertips All of her senses locked onto the feeling as she slowlythe silken mass swirl and shimmer in response

“Isobel?” Suddenly, the silk was gone causing Isobel to break out of her reverie She slowly dragged her eyes open, astonished at the sheer effort such a small movement could take

“Do in her throat “What? Where?” She tried to pick her head up off the pillow, only to find the energy she thought she had, evaporate like a puff of smoke

Her chest ached, and breathing seemed such hard work

“You are at Havistock Hall, entle sed on the bell pull beside the bed before returning to her side “You are perfectly safe now”

He fought hard to control the sheer relief that surged through hih to hold a cup of water to her lips He watched as she drank greedily

“Safe?” Isobel croaked hoarsely, wincing as the throbbing headache increased in strength “Why does my head hurt so?” Her throat felt raw and hot

“Because you haven’t eaten enough, and are quite poorly,” Dominic’s voice was sterner with the stark memory of the last few hours “You ain”

Isobel took advantage of her elevated position to study the roon, the dark oak panelling gleaolds, it was clearly Dominic’s room Isobel frowned as she eyed the heavythe walls

“Do you have any idea hoorried we have been for you?” His eyes scanned her pale features, tenderly tracing each new curve and hollow Even with her hair cut unfashionably short, with her startling blue eyes she had an ensnaring beauty about her thatanyone into thinking she was a boy

“Worried?” Isobel queried, turning her gaze back to his She had so s she wanted to say, but at that moment couldn’t form the words

Suddenly, she realised where she was “I should not be here, I ritted her teeth, and tried desperately to raise herself from the bed only to have Dolint of reproach in his eyes