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Page 298

| free and once again cupped them around her abdomen. "No," she said, her voice quavering, fearing Stanford too much to accept any assistance other than Sasha's word to take her child. "Bianca cannot do that. Oh, Sasha, don't you see? I was never married. I live with Stanford Sidwell. He brought me to the outback. I am his woman!" |

| "Bianca, I don't know what to say," Sasha said in a low gasp. "Oh, please let me and Ashton help you. You don't have to live with that horrid man!" |

| "It is my choice to," Bianca said, having to lie again to Sasha. "But my child deserves better." Tears rushed from her eyes again. "You promise? You will take my child? You will raise my child as your own?" |

| Sasha was compelled to embrace Bianca. She drew her into her arms and stroked her long hair. "Yes," she murmured. "If that is what you wish. Now please stop worrying." |

| "Thank you," Bianca sobbed. "Oh, thank you." |

| "Bianca, please let me send Ashton to make things right for you at Stanford's sheep station," Sasha said softly. "There is no need for you to live in fear from day to day. Let us take you away from there." |

| Bianca yanked away from her. Pale, her eyes wild, she shook her head frantically from side to side. "Do not come to Stanford's," she said, near to hysterics. "Leave me be!" |

| She turned to run away, then stopped and faced Sasha again. "It is only the child that should concern you," she said, then turned and ran up the river to the clay bank that reached across to the other side. |

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