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e diamond”

Aurora rose, wide-eyed “You struck Morland—for me?”

A hint of softness “You are my sister, you know”

“I’ to realize that,” she replied with an equal measure of softness

“Slayde,” Courtney pressed “Did you learn anything?”

“Too h” Slayde eased Courtney inside the bedchae to join thereat deal to discuss” The moator “Did any of the servants behave oddly?”

“Not in the least I’ve been posted outside Lady Aurora’s bedcha the staff Other than a few iven the i Lady Aurora’s escape efforts, no one’s so much as spoken to me They’ve performed their jobs in what I would call a customary fashion Oh, I did have the opportunity to speak with Mr Lexley He’s a racious fellow, but with no additional details to provide us”

“Then we’re right back where we started, dahtened about Courtney “I’ht,” he infor doors unless I’m behind them with you”

“Slayde, what is it?” Anxiously, Courtney studied Slayde’s taut expression “What’s upset you so?”

A muscle worked in his jaw “Morland’s innocent,” he stated flatly “He’s not the one who hired Armon He doesn’t have the diamond And he didn’t take a shot at you the other day”

Aurora easp

“And your parents?” Courtney sounded more concerned than she did stunned “Is he innocent of their murders as well?”

“According to his Of course, he’s said that a dozen times before We have yet to find proof of his innocence There’s every possibility that he’s lying”

“But you don’t think he is”

A weighted silence Then: “No—I don’t”