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“Fine Then I’ll wait for him to return”

“That could be hours”

“I’ed off his coat and slung it over the astonished butler’s arm “Is the library down this corridor?” he inquired, already heading in what see”

“But, Lord Pembourne, you can’t—”

“Thayer, whose phaeton is that around front?” The voice at the front door brought both , they watched Lawrence Bencroft step through the entranceway “I’ anyone”

“Ah, but so you,” Slayde said, his tone ominously quiet

Morland’s head ca on his guest “Pembourne”

“Ah, you’re sober enough to recognizethe fact that we haven’t seen each other in—let’s see, how long has it been since you shut yourself up in here with only a bottle as coht years? Or is it nine? I believe it was nine—a mere year after my parents’ deaths”

“What the hell are you doing inhis coat into Thayer’s arry—but steady—steps “Get out Or I’ll have you thrown out”

“No, Morland, you won’t Because you know daprecisely how uilt So cease this heroic display and let’s get to the matter at hand Shall we adjourn to the library? Or do you want me to air my accusations in front of your entire staff? The choice is yours”

Morland drew a harsh breath, his eyes narrowing on Slayde as he mulled over what had been said as well as what had been ied a bit, have you Pembourne? Still as callous as ever Very well Unlike the h I cannot i about or why you think I know the purpose of your visit” A swift glance at Thayer “The earl and I will be in the library No refreshment is necessary Knock on the door in precisely tenthree or four footmen with you, lest Lord Pembourne prove difficult Either way, he will be escorted from the manor at that time”

“Very good, sir” Thayer rushed off like a mouse who’d been freed from a trap

Silently, Morland led the way to the library, shutting the door firlance “Your tiet to the point What is it you want?” He furnished Slayde with only an icy but unglazed stare

Slayde perched against the aze as he took a minute to calm himself He hadn’t expected the rush of fury that acco face to face with Lawrence Bencroft after all these years Suddenly, it was a decade earlier, and he was back at Pe his parents’ lifeless bodies on the floor, hearing the droning voices of the authorities as they concluded that it was obviously the work of a burglar And,Morland’s cloudy expression when Slayde had stormed into Almack’s and publicly accused hi the cri so badly his drink had sloshed onto the polished floor, Morland had slurred out so, intoxicated denials—denials that, at least for Slayde, had fallen on deaf ears

The only thing that had kept hi the life out of Lawrence was the possibility that the inebriated fool ht have been unaware of Chilton’s plan