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n town?”

As a , it was quite acceptable “I did not want to stay with Henry” Saarded her with disdain He e to his father “And I knew if I wrote to you, you would not travel to see me”

“Perhaps not”

As they had not spoken since the night he had informed her they could only ever be friends, she would not have asked to stay in Bedford Square, either

“I cannot afford to remain in town indefinitely I must return h-home—” The sob almost choked her when she tried to suppress the sound It was selfish of her to cry when he was the one who had lost his brother in so cruel a way “I know I htened”

Without a word, he caught her wrist and pulled her to his chest “I will help you find the person responsible for these crio home, and you will live without fear I promise you that”

The hard shell around her heart splintered and cracked She closed her eyes and inhaled the spicy masculine scent thatfrohtly in his arms was the only place she had ever felt safe

He stepped back, cupped her face with both hands “I will help you,” he repeated “We will begin by returning to Highley Grange Pack your things tonight In the , I will meet you in Hoddesdon, opposite the Blue Boar Inn”

“You’re … you’re coined thehts huddled around the fire

He nodded “Mention it to no one”

That would not pose a problest society

“But ill you tell your mother?”

He shrugged “I’ll say I' to Kempston Hall on business”

An overwhelratitude swelled in her chest “Do you h, Tristan After all that has happened, I never expected—”

He placed his finger on her lips “Let us not speak of the past anyress Let us accept that we share the saether as friends”