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Page 423

| "But what about Paulette?" Ashton worried. |

| "She'll be safe here," Sasha said, walking determinedly toward the door. "No one is interested in stealing Paulette away. Tobias is the only one that was ever in danger." |

| Crispin and Ashton followed Sasha from the room. "I'll see how things are outside," Crispin said, rushing down the stairs. "I'll also get the men together!" |

| Ashton grabbed Sasha's wrist, stopping her. "It's best you don't go with us, Sasha," he said. "Whoever abducted Tobias has probably had a full night's jump on us. Before we can catch up with them, I'm sure they'll make it into Melbourne. It could be a long search, Sasha." |

| "I've got to go," Sasha said, fighting back her tears of frustration. "When Tobias is found I must be there to comfort him. I'm his mother. He'll need me." |

| "Of course, you're right," Ashton said, his eyes wavering. "Tobias is probably frightened to death. If you are there when we find him, it could help dispel his fears. Yes, it is best for Tobias that you be with us when we find him." |

| "Who could have done this?" Sasha sobbed. |

| "Do you really have to ask?" Ashton said sarcastically. "Silas Howland, that's who." |

| "But he is a helpless cripple," Sasha said, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. |

| "Sweet darlin', that helpless cripple has money enough to pay an army if he wanted to," Ashton grumbled. "I should have known that he hadn't come here alone. When he left, I should've known that he was giving up way too easy. His hired hand |

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