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A look akin to pride flashed in Mr Trent’s eyes “A plausible theory, Miss Vale A crossroads cuts through the lane, giving them ample opportunity to choose an alternative route”

Mr Cavanagh sighed “We should focus our attention on discovering more about Layton and Wincote”

“Not we Tomorrow, I intend to visit Wincote and knock his teeth down his throat” While Mr Trent soundedthe hten the devil “After I’ve throttled the truth fro lips, I shall call on Layton and do the same”

Panic flared in Verity’s chest “These ht You o alone”

“Tonight, I made a foolish mistake Tomorrow, I intend to follow your lead and bear arms”

Verity shuffled around to face hi Once you’ve slept and thought on the matter”

“I’ll not spend another day wasting ti the truth, Miss Vale, I lack patience” He bent his head so that she could feel his breath breeze across her cheek “And when I discover which rogue attacked you in your bedchauarantee the man will lack the necessary implements to abuse any other woman”

The vehehtened her, but it only strengthened her connection to hiive his life to protect her Of that, she was in no doubt The war in her heart pulsed with a need to love this man

“Once he’swill sway Trent’s decision,” Mr Cavanagh inforate”

“Perhaps” was her only reply She would reason with him, find a way to make him see sense

They spent the next few minutes in silence A few fat raindrops hit the , and she watched them trickle down the pane The heavens opened, and the downpour pelted the roof in a rhyth when one had the benefit of shelter

When they arrived at Jaunay’s Hotel, they had to pull the bell cord to gain entrance Only the dissolute returned to a h

otel during the early hours When she hurried into the lobby and shook off the rain, she glanced at the longcase clock and noted the time

“It’s three o’clock in the ,” she whispered in disbelief “I doubt any of us shall rise before et you to bed so you can rest Take my arm, and I shall help you upstairs”

A grin formed on Mr Trent’s lips “It’s a minor injury, h to sweep you into my arms and take us both upstairs to bed”