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"Do you believe that presumption can be rebutted?" someone asked

"I believe I am honor-bound to rebut it," Lowery said "You see, it has come to my attention that Edward Delacey is alive"

Edward’s hands were shaking He pressed theainst his trousers, but it didn’t help He’d avoided this as long as he could The thought of being called by that na his father’s seat…

Yet here he was It was too late Even if he stood and left the rooain

There was a long pause in the other room

"I have been presented with evidence to that effect," Lowery continued, "which I shall present to this body, if I am so allowed"

He could hear mur alive and objecting He couldn’t hear their words, didn’t care about the objections Jaued He just wanted this over with

After five ain, loud enough for him to hear once more "Lowery h that Edas certain of the identification

"James Delacey, you are not a member of the committee, and may only speak before it when duly called upon"

Silence And then, the voice of Baron Lowery "I call Patrick Shaughnessy, my stable master, to testify"

Beside hireat breath

"Go," Edward said "It will be all right"

The reeted them eyed the rooestured Patrick forward Patrick stood, clenching his fists He had never been easy speaking to a crowd But herooreeter didn’t close the door this ti, Edward could see Patrick erly into the seat that had been pulled forward

"State your name, sir"

Patrick leaned forward; Edward could see his lips h for the lords to hear, if you please"

"I’hnessy," his friend said more loudly "If it please you"

"Can you tell us where you were born?"

"I grew up on the estates of Viscount Claridge" His back was a rigid line "My father was stable master there My mother was a seamstress"

"Did you knoard Delacey?"

"We met when I was five, when my parents caht Edward how to ride; Edward taughtuntil the day he was sent to school, ere inseparable"