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Page 245

| Bianca rested her hands on her abdomen. "I am a lucky woman," she said, smiling weakly at Sasha. "My child is still moving within my womb." |

| "More rest would be good for your health," Sasha said, looking uneasily past Bianca at Stanford. She then looked into Bianca's green eyes. She leaned into her face, blocking Stanford's view of her lips. "Meet me again soon at the river. I shall be looking for you." |

| "I don't know," Bianca whispered back. |

| "Are you afraid of someone?" Sasha dared to ask, then jumped with alarm when Stanford was suddenly there, standing threateningly at Bianca's side. |

| "There's been enough talk between you two," he said, glaring down at Sasha. "If you want to beat the storm, you'd best leave now." |

| "Yes, I'd best go," Sasha murmured, knowing that he did not want her to leave because of his concern over her welfare. He wanted to get rid of her for his own selfish, evil reasons. |

| She glanced up at the sky as another flash of lightning streaked across the heavens, then looked back at Bianca. "I hope all will be well with you," she said, wanting to say so much more, yet forced not to. She prayed she would get a chance later. |

| Bianca said nothing. With her heart aching to go with Sasha, to be freed of this madman at her side, she watched Sasha mount her horse and ride away. |

| Then she winced with pain as Stanford grabbed her wrist and twisted it behind her, forcing her toward the cabin. |

| "You should've told me about meeting Sasha at the river," he growled. "Bianca, you should've told me. Now you're going to pay for your negligence. |

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