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“You are not leavingfroive a damn about you can hardly be missed,” he declared flatly

Rose winced and had to admit that he had a point “I know, so I want your co-operation”

“My co-operation?” Barnaby parroted “In what?” He suspected he wasn’t going to like what she had to say

“I want you to helpyour witness in London While I don’t wish to reside in London, I would like a place of my own,” she admitted honestly She had never told anyone of her wish before It felt terribly reckless of her to confide in Barnaby, but she knew that garnering Barnaby’s assistance in this was a golden opportunity she should not allow to slip by

“Don’t you want a husband?” As soon as he had asked, Barnaby closed hisidea and think he was offering

“No, I don’t,” she declared fir I want”

“Why?” The as out before he could stop it

“Because I have spent rown up parents who have little capability of looking after themselves While it isn’t the kind of life I would have chosen, it is at least familiar I have no wish to ridhusband”

“Not all husbands are drunkards,” Barnaby protested

“I know I a they are, but I just don’t wish to have to spend the rest ofto someone else’s demands, wants, and needs,” Rose replied

Barnaby opened his ue but had to admit that she had a point

“Not all husbands expect their wives to be biddable you know,” he ently

“I don’t have any intention of finding out,” Rose replied

Barnaby looked at her warily “So, what do you want my assistance with exactly?”

“I want you to help me find somewhere else to live when this is all over”