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“Promise me, Rose If you care for me at all, you’ll stay here”

She rubbed her neck, her pretty face

Eventually, she sighed and placed her hand on his arm “Very well I shall remain here You have my word”

Chapter Ten

The biting wind nipped at Christian’s cheeks as Valiant galloped down the lane leading to the manor Thick s tied on ahead

As soon as they passed through the gates, his horse grew restless and pawed the ground at the sight of the fla in its path

Morton Manor blazed like a beacon A pyre inend for a place once regarded as the sanctum of witches

Water filled his eyes But he was not sad or sorry

He glanced around the courtyard, one last jubilant goodbye

Good God!

Preoccupied with his own private celebration, he’d failed to notice the gentle a wo pat, dismounted and rushed towards the couple

“I saw the s Within hours Morton Manor would be a pile of ash and rubble “But I can see I’m too late”

The aze away from the woman’s face He held her to his chest, brushed loose tendrils of red hair frothy trip? Though dirty, the cut of his clothes suggested a man of wealth Was this the lord who’d hired Rose?

Christian bent down at their side “She is alive I take it?” At times like this one had to ask insensitive questions

The gentleman nodded “Yes, but she’s inhaled smoke, fallen somehow and hurt her head” In obvious distress, he continued to stroke the woman’s cheek