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"I haven't a clue" Courtney pursed her lips, considering the possible reasons for this inconceivable visit "Let's give hio down and find out"

Chapter 3

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Julian strolled the width of the marble entranceway, hands clasped behind his back as he awaited the return of the Pembourne butler The servant had been blatantly rude, he reflected with a twinge of amusement Oh, not at first Not until Julian had announced himself But once he'd heard the na Julian that the earl was a very busy uest Then with a frosty glare, he'd stalked off to announce Julian's arrival

The question as the butler's flagrant disapproval based on what he'd doubtless overheard about last night's scandal with Aurora or did it stem from the mere fact that Julian was a Bencroft? More to the point, how heavily steeped in age-old hatred was Pembourne's staff and, most particularly, was its master?

Pensively Julian conteht He scarcely knew Slayde Huntley They'd crossed paths at Oxford and more recently at White's, on those rare occasions when Julian's sporadic journeys back to English soil corresponded with Slayde's equally infrequent trips houed by the past's grim echoes

Echoes that incited them, whether out of an innate sense of unease or a desire to escape all re past, to avoid each other, never sharingword

Except when Hugh died

Julian could still recall the genuine sorrow on Slayde's face when he'd approached Julian at the university, offered his sy stares of their fellow classmates, many of whom half believed in the existence of the black diamond's ancient curse and thus entertained the possibility that the Huntleys were responsible for Hugh's death

Slayde's act had been a courageous one One that showed character and decency, as well as compassion

One that Julian would never forget

But thirteen years had passed since Hugh's death—years laced with unspeakable tragedy How edy transformed Slayde and his outlook?

The answer to that question would dictate the tenor of this er to hold

Veering about, he inclined his head in the direction Pembourne's butler had taken, half-tempted to abandon protocol and simply strike off on his own to search the corridor until he found whichever roo But no—he'd wait For while he was deteroal would be far easier to attain if he were granted an audience rather than compelled to force his way in

On the heels of that decision, the butler's returning footsteps sounded, and an instant later the disapproving servant re