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Oliver mentioned that the apothecaries transported certain herbs and plants fro fro?” Heavens, if this wo, Oliver and Christian would never find her

“To one of the potting rooarden is closed to visitors temporarily, ouldn’t want to attract any undue attention”

She spoke so cal beyond the fake facade “And what are we to do there?”

“We will exa eyes”

Prying eyes? There wasn’t a soul in the garden Only the faint hum of bees and the crisp sound of their footsteps broke the silence “Is that e’re wearing these ridiculous clothes?”

“Men like to think they have the hs of the cedar trees, and the gate leading down to the river came into view “They like to make rules and preach about their ht find one who is not a fake or fraud”

When Rose thought of Christian’s fine qualities, she considered herself ast the luckiest of ladies She only hoped he could find a way to rescue her froht of the river in the distance, coupled with the slow advance along the narrow path, roused i the plank At some point, she expected to feel the tip of a sword pressed into her back, to feel the s as she tried to stay afloat

They approached the row of red-brick buildings to their left Rose stopped abruptly “What assurance do I have that you’ll not harh and his children? What assurance do I have that I’ll leave this garden alive?”

The woh We want the book that’s all”

“We?” So the lady had an accomplice The identity of the perpetrator was not the mystery It was Taylor or Wilmslow — or maybe both The reason behind their scheme is what baffled her

“As I said, a wo for the man she loves”

Rose exanition dawned She tried to suppress a gasp, but it burst from her lips She had seen this woman once before, in the churchyard of St Martin’s on the day Oliver and Nicole married

“Then I fear your affection is misplaced, Mrs Wilmslow”

Chapter Twenty-One

Mrs Wilave a sly chuckle “I knew you’d work it out, eventually You’re far too s here you’re clearly far too senseless for a lady”