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No one rushed in with the lamps

No one came to their aid

Why would they when this was all part of the game?

“Trent” The voice sounded like Mr Cavanagh and came from the direction of the door

“Bloody hell!” Mr Trent held on to her, continued to lash out at his unknown assailant

Victim!

What if the card was a threat?

What if soht as easily as the candles?

Verity wrapped her arrip of her crook, she lashed out hoping to ward off another assault

“Ouch!” The sharp point of a pin stabbed her finger Every instinct said to snatch her hand back and rub the injury, but she hit out with her crook again until the malevolent presence retreated—disappeared

“What happened?” she asked on a breathless pant

Before Mr Trent could answer, the door creaked open, bringing a faint sliver of light fro a lit lantern in each hand As soon as he placed theilt branches, it was evident froaged in amorous activity

Mrs Crandall clapped her hands to gain everyone’s attention “Step back against the wall and uests hurried to straighten their clothes “The victiuess the culprit” She turned to a woht whose breasts had escaped her bodice “Accepting defeat so soon, et the real party underway?”

“Where the hell is Wincote and Layton?” Mr Trent scoured the rooaze

Verity followed his line of sight and noted bothrooh the darkness”