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Page 241

| Sasha. What'd you tell her? She surely ain't come here today just from the goodness of her heart. She's usin' you to spy on me. What'd you tell her?" He yanked her hair harder, causing Bianca to stifle a cry of pain behind her hand. |

| " I told her nothing, Stanford," Bianca sobbed. "Except what you told me to. I told her I was married to your sheepherder. That's all." |

| "And you saw her only once?" he demanded, his breath hot on her face. |

| "I purposely did not return to the river so I could avoid seeing her," Bianca said, tears streaming from her eyes. "I knew the danger of opening up too much to her. And she is so nice! I did not want to endanger her by becoming too friendly with her. I am innocent of any wrongdoing, Stanford. Innocent!" |

| Stanford ran his fingers over the contusions on Bianca's face and neck. "I'll let you go and talk with her, but as for your bruises, should she ask, tell her you fell off a horse," he said, snickering. He released her hair and gave her a shove toward the door. "Now get out there and satisfy her curiosity. Then get rid of her." |

| "I will," Bianca said, giving him occasional glances over her shoulder as she inched her way toward the door. "I will." |

| She fled outside, for the moment free of Stanford's abuses. If only she could confide in Sasha! If only she could plead for her help! But both she and Sasha would be in danger, and it was not fair to include Sasha in her own sad, perilous affairs. |

| She forced a smile as she walked in a slow gait |

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