Page 49 (1/2)

“Oh, thank the Lord” Verity raced round to the opposite door and climbed into the conveyance Mr Trent slipped his hands into hers With a heave, she pulled hie to sleep coht it”

Mr Trent’s head lolled forward, and his hat tue floor “Need to … to rest”

“No, you ave up, few people recovered “Speak towill keep you alert until the doctor can check your wound”

“He’s too tall to lie down, even with his knees bent” Mr Cavanagh barked orders to Sleeth, gave the poor man back his boots and then climbed into the conveyance and closed the door “Sit on his lap, Miss Vale Talk to him Occupy his mind Slap his face if you think it will help”

The carriage lurched forward, and Mr Trent almost slipped from the seat

Stone-cold fear for his wellbeing saw her gather her skirts and sit astride him The tis froht be deemed a frilly equivalent of a chastity belt

Mr Trent opened his eyes upon feeling her hand on his cheek His penetrating stare stirred so deep within Verity sed The inti herself she acted merely out of Christian charity

“Don’t sleep” She reue and dabbed the blood on his cheek and hairline “Not until the doctor has examined you”

He watched each flick of her tongue, permitted her to mop his brow and wipe his face

“Might I check the wound?”

Mr Trent blinked his perh his hair to touch the hard luroan in discoers were damp with blood, and so she pressed her mask over the cut and held it there

She glanced over her shoulder at Mr Cavanagh “It may need a stitch or two Just to be certain”

Mr Cavanagh watched her with a look of mild fascination “With a head injury, it is what you cannot see that proves ”

The remark raised her pulse a notch She turned her attention back to the gentle about your life Do you have a favourite place? A particular hobby? A treasured memory?”

Mr Trent shook his head, though his gaze never left her