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Christian glanced back over his shoulder “I’ll go back for her”

“No” Rose coughed and sucked in a breath “I-I can’t lose you, Christian”

But despite all Mrs Wilmslow had done, he could not leave her there He returned to the water and dived down He could see the woh to reach her

He returned to the bank and Stanton hauled him out “No luck?”

Christian shook his head and collapsed on the steps next to Rose, his clothes sodden, his breath co in painful pants

Rose scrambled to his side, stroked his face, pushed the wet strands of hair off his forehead “Say soht”

“I’m fine, but I was too late to save the reverend’s wife” Guilt flared until he noted the red line rihts aside

Sitting on the top step, Lady Stanton sighed Blood covered her hands and breeches “It’s too late for the doctor, too”

Lord Stanton found his coat and shrugged into the garment “We need to inform the authorities For the life of me, I have no idea hoe’ll explain this mess”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult to gather proof of the doctor’s nefarious dealings” Rose took hold of Christian’s hand and held it tightly “After all, we still have the blue book and the note requesting I arden creates suspicion”

“We’ll leave together and go straight to Peel As Home Secretary, I believe he’ll have a vested interest in our case” Lord Stanton withdrew his pocket watch and checked the time “It shouldn’t be too difficult to locate him at this time of day And that way the matter will be dealt with swiftly and with the utmost discretion”

Christian hoped Stanton was right Peel was considered a faircrime in the city “On the way, I want you to tell me what the devil Mrs Wilmslow had to do with it all”

Rose nodded, but her gaze drifted to the body sprawled across the path “What about Dr Taylor? We can’t leave him here”

Lord Stanton shrugged “Then we have no choice but to take him with us”

Rose shivered visibly “You forget, the gate’s locked The only way out is by boat”