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Page 225

| husband, a sheepherder," Sasha said in a rush of words. "I discovered her at the river a few days ago when I went there for a swim and bath." |

| Ashton forked his fingers through his hair. "Well, I'll be damned," he said. "Bianca? Married? And living at Stanford's sheep station? Nothing could surprise me more. She's got the most notorious reputation of all the women in Melbourne." |

| Sasha felt a blush rush to her cheeks. "I know," she murmured. "But that is in the past, Ashton. She is married and pregnant." She looked in the direction of the river. "And I'm worried about her." |

| "I think she's capable of taking care of herself," Ashton said, laughing. "She did for years, you know." |

| "Perhaps so," Sasha said, sighing heavily. "But Ashton, although she was a prostitute, I saw many redeeming qualities in her the day we became acquainted. I liked her. Immediately." |

| She screwed her face up into a frown. "And I can't help but be worried about her," she continued. "I haven't seen her since that one day. What if she is in trouble?" |

| She swallowed hard. "Ashton, I heard a woman screaming the other day. It had to be Bianca. She and I are the only women in these parts." |

| She paused, measuring her next words very carefully, knowing what Ashton's response would be. "And I plan to go over to Stanford's sheep station today and check on her welfare," she finally blurted out. |

| When Ashton's eyes flashed angrily, she quickly added, "No matter what you say, I am going," she said, tilting her chin stubbornly. She swallowed |

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