Page 32 (1/2)

“You still had—have”—Slayde corrected himself—“Julian”

A harsh laugh “Julian? Don’t insult me, Pembour

ne You know very well er son hasn’t returned to Morland Manor in years He has as little use for ain: irresponsible, self-centered, always abandoning his duties to dash off on one adventure or another Hardly soe Hubert was my life, my future And because of the Huntleys, he’s dead”

“Hugh died from a fever, not a curse”

“I disagree Every heinous incident that’s plagued randfather stole that black diarandfather had originally pros he committed are rectified, will poison our lives forever”

“Rectified?” Slayde leaped on Morland’s pointed state the chance to elicit the confession he’d co—rectifying the past to obliterate the curse?”

“You’re talking in riddles again”

“Am I? Then I’ll be direct What incited you to relinquish your seclusion?”

A shrug “Perhaps it was the realization that I’ments of my life are left Not that it’s any of your concern”

“Oh, but it ischats with the village ” Slayde pressed on with his charade “As well as with your solicitor and your banker It see a little financial business of late, discussing so investments and reallocation of funds Quite impressive for a man of supposedly paltry reat deal of money Of course, that would be ied son for fas with the world, wouldn’t it?”

Morland’s fist struck a side table “How dare you intrude into my affairs!”

“In this case, they’re my affairs, as well” Slayde went in for the kill “Because the crime you coainst me—and one that affected the lives of innocent people Don’t even consider absolving yourself with the fact that it was your accomplice who carried out the sordid plan You invented it Through your orders, that filthy pirate blackmailed me, captured a ship, killed its captain, and severely wounded his daughter All of which I’ve vowed to avenge” Slayde’s eyes glittered dangerously “And being the callous ani a confession out of you”

Rather than shrinking in terror, Morland see to norard to whoever’s orchestrated this cri about, you have no proof”

Da for the diamond, Morland?” Slayde demanded in a final attempt to render Lawrence off balance, to pressure hi soet it?”

Morland’s eyes narrowed “Are you telling ? The stone whose whereabouts you supposedly never knew?”