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Slayde loved her There wasn’t a doubt in her mind of that fact, nor of the fact that he knew, as well as she, that they belonged together Yet, he was fighting that knowledge, fighting it every inch of the way

The irony of it all was that what he was fighting was not his feelings, but hers After years of solitude, Slayde was accepting the fact that he needed soer his own

What he couldn’t accept was her need for him

Damn that bloody curse

Courtney slaainst the sill What could she do to convince Slayde that his efforts to protect her were for naught? How could she ed nowhere else, that she’d gladly live under lock and key rather than sacrifice the chance to share his life?

She couldn’t

The only way Slayde would not only relent, but welcome the prospect of her coone from their lives forever

Well, she had no idea where the stone was Then, again, neither did anyone else

Courtney’s head caem Slayde had surrendered to Ar, other than generations of escalating hearsay Everything concerning the black diamond hispered nervously behind closed doors, snatches of ruossip

Wasn’t it time to alert the world to the truth? That the infaer in the Huntleys’ possession?

A s she’d learned fro to be an ardent sailor rather than a seasick passenger, it was that perception was ofttimes more important than reality ’Twas time to put that principle to work

“Courtney?” ’Twas Slayde’s voice outside her door “May I come in?”

“Of course” She turned to greet hi at the lines of torment on his face Determinedly, she reminded herself that she was about to alleviate them “You weren’t at dinner”

“I wasn’t hungry” He shut the door behind hi her face “How do you feel?”

“My emotions are mixed,” she answered honestly “I’rief and denial But I’er empty—thanks to you”