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“One cannot believe in God without acknowledging the Devil” Wilest that your staff keep a diary of their whereabouts Perhaps one of theardless of what you believe, many think the place is cursed”

“Then perhaps we are in need of a few extra prayers” Christian gestured to the hall in a bid to hurry the“And yet they do not appear to have helped these last two years”

“Have faith, my lord” Wilmslow rose from the chair “One must never lose hope The Lord shall reveal his plan in due course”

The reverend’s tone held the sahteous to ces

“Ah, Mrs Hibbet,” Christian said as they met the housekeeper in the hall “Will you show Dr Taylor and Reverend Wil inyou wish to discuss”

Dr Taylor turned to him and bowed “We’ll not trouble you e leave, ive Mrs Hibbet the tonic for the new maid”

Christian inclined his head “Then I shall say good day to you, gentlemen”

He returned to the study, closed the door and exaer The monthly expenditure for his house in Berkeley Square failed to distract his thoughts fro visit to Morton Manor Since Cassandra’s death, he’d avoided the place Even so, the nore

The clock on the mantel chimed once, and he contemplated whether there was time to eat before Rose knocked to say she’d co chores

His thoughts wandered

Hoould they get to the ether in silence? Or would she tell hiedy that left her alone to fend for herself?

Dipping the nib of his pen into the ink pot, he recorded the bills for the last month into the leather-bound book

Would they ride there together? Would she sit between his thighs with the hipping her hair?

The knock on the door pulled his

Mrs Hibbet entered “Just to let you know that Dr Taylor and Reverend Wilmslow have left Both Jenny and Ann should be able to resume their duties in a day or two, and David can return to the stables tomorrow”