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Aurora looked fascinated “I’ve never been in love”

“Nor I”

“Then how can you be so certain? And in so brief a time?”

Courtney’s lips curved “A very intelligent friend of mine once said, ‘One needn’t touch a flame in order to know it burns’ ”

“Ah A wise friend indeed” Aurora’s eyes sparkled “Very well, in light of your anseSlayde around without delay”

All humor vanished from Courtney’s face “You have no idea how formidable a task that promises to be”

“Don’t underestis for you, Courtney I believe he’s equally as smitten as you Which, for aonly upon hi”

“ ’Tis more than Slayde’s emotional independence at stake,” Courtney revealed “It’s…” She paused, weighing her words carefully She’d vowed to Slayde not to divulge the truth about his fraudulent diamond, and she intended to keep that vow “He fears for my safety Not only my safety but the safety of anyone he cares for He’s sworn to preclude any potential danger by forsaking any future ties”

Aurora frowned “The black dia curse I gather, therefore, that what you’re tellingto do with the Bencrofts and Slayde’s belief that they’re detere”

“That’s exactly what I’ you Slayde doesn’t believe the curse lies with the diamond, but with the men who vie for it Most especially, with the Bencrofts, whose hatred he’s convinced will never be extinguished You of all people kno staunchly he believes that ’Tis why he’s so watchful of you and your whereabouts Well, his protective convictions go far deeper than that” Courtney aze “To put it bluntly, Slayde refuses to carry on the Huntley na a child He’s determined to let the hatred die with him”

Aurora sat bolt upright “He told you this? That he intends never to marry or father children?”

“Yes”

To Courtney’s alee “This is even ht”

“Aurora, did you hear what I just said?”

“Of course I did The question is, did you?”