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Prologue

Mearsall, Kent, May 1828

Avenge me”

The raspy whisper stirred Nell Trihtened in the hard wooden chair beside the narrow bed Around her, tallow candles guttered Outside the cottage’s ht was dark and quiet

She rose to smooth her half-sister’s covers “Shall I fetch Father?”

“No” Dorothy grabbed Nell’s hand The late spring air arers that closed around Nell’s were icy with encroaching death “Listen… to me”

Nell stared helplessly into the girl’s ashen face Once Dorothy had been the village belle Now her skin was gray and dry, and her large blue eyes sank deep into their sockets She was eighteen years old and looked three times that “Dr Parsons said to rest”

Dorothy’s cracked lips turned down “There’s no time”

Nell’s heart cra…”

Her half-sister’s hold tightened, stifling the co lie “We both know it’s true”

Yes, they did Dr Parsons had relinquished all hope after Dorothy had lost her baby Nell still shuddered to reht body

Since then, Dorothy had lingered through agony Looking into her drawn face, Nell knew that lovely, vivacious, heedless Dorothy Siet you some water”