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“Wake up for ” Eliza didn’t move and he tipped his head down until he could see her face Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was shallow, but there was no twitching of her eyelids to show she was even aware he was there This was no sleep

Fear began to claw at hie Jacobean structure that was the Hare and Hound With the end in sight, he nudged his horse forwards and within moments drew to a halt in the stable yard

Sliding off the horse, he drew Eliza’s liet a doctor before striding into the inn

“Edward?”

Edward turned at the sound of the blessedly fah of relief as Peter strode towards him

“Peter, thank God” He sighed “Did you secure rooms for us?”

“Everything’s all sorted” Do them towards the stairs

“Jemima?” Peter’s voice was shocked as he stared at the woman in Edward’s arms

Edward froze His stomach sank to his boots as he stared at the aze lowered to the unconscious woman in his arms and felt a sense of betrayal so deep he wanted to shout out a gut-wrenching denial

He glanced up in horror at Peter as he drew near

“Please tellwithin him was locked on Peter’s face as he waited for the inevitable response His world tipped in tur to hand her over to Peter and stand back looly before him Briefly he hated Peter for his hold on her

“It’s Jemima” Peter whispered, his voice filled with e

Edward felt sick and stared in disbelief at his friend, feeling his heart break

“Let’s get her upstairs” Do beauty Edward carried He was unsure as going on but the pain bothto allow either Peter or Edward to put on any more of a show for the tap room’s occupants

Edward cliet his stunned emotions under control He protectively curled his arainst his heart, and wondered if he should just hold on to her and refuse to allow Peter near He stood silently and watched Peter swing a door open before standing back for Edward to pass through with his precious burden