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“The Brethren,” he repeated, his tongue thick as he ihts that lay beneath that one thin layer of h his fingers No doubt her feet were bare though he daren’t look down “When you say they’re out there, do you mean in the square?”

He noted the panic in her eyes, a fear that stee hotel roo all amorous intentions, he darted to the hipped back the curtain and stared out into the night

“Don’t let them see you!”

“Them? You saw Layton and Wincote?”

Miss Vale hurried to his side and tugged his arering in the square He leered at loved hand and drew the mark of the Brethren”

Lawrence patted the dainty fingers gripping his forear out of the“I see no one there now” He turned to Cavanagh “Wait with Miss Vale while I go outside and look”

“No!” Miss Vale grabbed his hand “Stay with ested, and you can beat the truth from him if you must”

Mr Cavanagh caarb I would pursue the villain”

“Neither of you ht Tomorroill turn the tables and launch an attack”

She ithout doubt, the bravest woman he’d ever known

Lawrence couldn’t help but capture her chin between his fingers and stroke the delicate skin at her jaw “There is nothing to fear, not while I’m here”

With a surreptitious glance at Cavanagh—who had shown a sudden interest in a painting of fruit on the wall—she turned back to face hiht I want to be with you”

The last co he could not identify, not lust but so more complex He bent his head, his mouth but an inch from her ear “You knoill happen if we’re left alone in this room”

Being a h slipped discreetly from the room and

closed the door Lawrence heard him enter Miss Vale’s room and turn the key in the lock