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Mr Trent sed deeply Beneath the hard, glassy look in his eyes, she saw soht it was fear “You have done nothing to loseI deal ith, Miss Vale My mind tends to conjure pessimistic views of current events”

Then she was right on another point, too Someone had hurt this man in the past, and the wound still wept

“And despite being the most capable member of my family, sir, my sex meant my parents treated me no better than a disobedient pet” The coreat conflict Their sudden deaths froue after a visit to friends in Lincolnshire meant her parents never witnessed her eloquent refusal “Consequently, I tend to bite at the first sign of a leash”

The gentleman’s shoulders relaxed “Then, as you’ve made the journey to town,” he said in a much calmer voice, “I trust you have new information to impart”

Verity relaxed, too Nohy couldn’t it have been like this in the beginning?

“Yes, it hile daydreaht first occurred to rief had made it difficult to make the connection before

“No doubt you were dreadolimpsed the man who’d escorted her home

“Indeed You see, the book returned to me by Sebastian’s valet was not a book from my library While curious as to the subject uarantee neither of my parents would have permitted such a novel in the house”

Mr Trent arched a brow “Then it is a book filled with illicit content?”

Verity blinked “Heavens, no!” That said, she was more than curious to knohat occurred between a othic persuasion A tale of horror and the supernatural” Verity turned and snatched her satchel from the sofa “Allow me to show you”

“That’s a rather large reticule, Miss Vale,” Mr Wycliff said as she delved into the brown leather bag and rued around

Verity smiled “I think we both know it is a man’s satchel, Mr Wycliff I find a lady’s silk purse is of no use if one hopes to carry anything hile”

“Reticules are highly ireed

“Particularly when carrying a book” With the book lying flat in the botto, Verity removed her pocket pistol and handed it to Mr Trent “Hold this for a moment And do be careful”

“Good God!” Mr Wycliff raised his hands in mock surrender “I’ve taken one lead ball to the ar isn’t loaded”