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He reached into his fob pocket and withdrew the ring containing four iron keys “Follow me Stay close” He sensed her hesitation as he led her behind the garden house and unlocked the wooden gate in the brick wall

Miss Atwood remained so close he could shbour knows you have access to his garden”

“Whether he does or not is i I own this house, too” Lucius locked the gate behind theht the section of land that runs the length of the row Consequently, all the gardens are shorter, and I have a hidden escape route”

The lady stopped and observed the high hedgerow blocking the view of his neighbour’s house “So this is a secret alley?”

&n

bsp; Lucius unlocked the gate leading to the next garden “It provides ahired thugs loitering in the mews

He was about to step through into the next garden when Miss Atwood touched his arm “You’ve taken some rather drastic measures in the na cautiouslyyou secretly through town these last feeeks has been exhausting Have you lived like this since my father’s death?”

He had lived like this since he was a boy of eight and believed a wicked devil had entered his home and stolen hishounded for his illegiti more enemies

“Soh to string the blighter up on a makeshift scaffold”

“You didn’t answer my question”

He glanced at the dainty hand resting on his sleeve The soothing touch est we stop talking lest we alert every resident in the street of our presence”

“Of course”

Her hand slipped to her side, and he felt the loss instantly

They crept through the gardens until they reached the last house From there, they entered the mews

Wisps of ree for therave reservations, he captured Miss Atwood’s hand “Hold on to my arm I intend to move quickly”