Page 16 (1/2)

Phyllida had set out to punish the queen, and punish her she would So the queen had sent Ainsley--the lady she ordered to do covert jobs thatlocks and searching bedrooms--to deal with Phyllida To retrieve the letters without parting with a penny if Ainsley could help it

"You are optiive you a thousand," Ainsley said

Firework after fireent off over the fields, filling the sky with light Under their light, Phyllida smiled

"One thousand is what I want," she said "Raise it somehow by the end of the week, and you esture, then turned and strode down the gravel path without looking back

"Bloody worowled

A cold nose thrust itself into her pal up at her with sys surrounded the Mackenzies at all tius--belonged to Ian and Beth and lived with them when they retreated to their own house not far from here Ben and Achilles reer spaniel, was hed as she leaned to pet McNab "How peaceful it ue or letters or blacks with happy blows The tail drove harder as McNab turned to greet the large man who’d followed hi you," Cah the conversation in her head, relaxing slightly when she realized that neither she nor Mrs Chase had ever mentioned the queen by name

"I’ thrust it under Cameron’s hand "Phyllida can be the devil Do you want me to shake your letters out of her?"

Ainsley’s eyes widened in alarht run to a newspaper as she threatened"

McNab circled close behind Ainsley, which made her step forward into Caainst Ainsley, happy they were all together in a small circle of space

"I can solve your probleive you the thousand for the asking"

He’d not si a price for it

"I can raise the money," Ainsley said "It will be difficult, but I can do it"