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Thorpe raised a brow “As a consummate professional, you know I cannot do that”

“Why ever not? I shall be perfectly safe with you at my side”

“We have established that you currently lack the ability to concentrate Theuseful” Mr Thorpe paused “Of course, perhaps if you told ht consider you less of a liability”

She would have to tell him about her mysterious stalker eventually Once his suspicions were roused he was like a bloodhound hunting out the scent until he’d located his target

“You’ll thinkwhere on earth she would start

“Do not presume to kn—”

The carriage jolted to a halt Daphne gripped the seat for fear of tu into Mr Thorpe’s lap But he reached out and put his hand on her knee to prevent her fro forward The intiulp down a breath They stared into each other’s eyes as the coachman’s shouts and protests could be clearly heard as he chastised so out into the street

Once the carriage was on its way and they had settled back into their seats, Thorpe cleared his throat “Despite the distraction, I’ for your answer”

Daphne decided the best way to reveal her secret was to start with thethe Harwood case, I’ to wonder if … if Thomas is still alive”

Mr Thorpe frowned “You think Thomas is alive?” He shook his head too many times to count “Trust me I identified the body Thoodforsaken night”

Hearing Thorpe’s assurance should have been enough to put the ludicrous idea to rest, yet instinct said so was amiss “I said you’d think me deluded”

“Deluded, no Confused, perhaps The htened”

He was right, of course She often i large over the bed, his face puffy and an odd shade of green, his skin possessing a silvery incandescent sheen from time spent in the water

“No doubt you have never felt the strangling effects of fear” She’d been so scared she’d struggled to breathe

“That depends on your definition of the word Do I fear dying? No I would storm into a roolanced at the carriage floor before ain “Do I fear the pain that co someone I care about? Yes”