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Still, Slayde hesitated "The ride to the village ht be too much for you and the babe"

"Our child isn't due to make an appearance forday," Courtney reently "As for the ride, it's scarcely a e Both the babe and I will fare wonderfully, my love I promise"

"Fine" At last, Slayde seee church With a party to follow, here at Pembourne Would that please you, Aurora?"

"Oh, yes," Aurora breathed "Very rinned at Courtney "Thank you"

"You're more than welcome," her friend answered in that tranquil way of hers

"Julian" Slayde's tone and expression had lost all traces of lightheartedness "There's one last issue we rand proclamation prior to his death I realize there was no affinity between the two of you; however, I need to know your intentions with regard to his investigation Do you mean to continue it, to support his ludicrous clai the black diamond here at Pembourne? If so, you'd best tell me now before you whisk away my sister, then insert her between us"

Julian felt Aurora's pointed gaze—a gaze not furrowed in worry over where his allegiance ht with curiosity over how he proposed to address Slayde's query—one Julian hi

"The answer, Slayde, is no," he returned smoothly "I don't intend to pursue ation And not because I won't coh I respect her feelings for you and Courtney—but because I've already perused hly, and they're nocrusade conducted by a ation consists of a notebook filled with e avenues that have turned up nothing There isn't one shred of tangible evidence there, nor even a concrete path worthy of pursuit Certainly nothing to compel me to further his course In fact, I'd all but decided to dispose of his notes when it occurred to ht want to see theestured toward the"The papers are in e My footman will fetch them before I leave Read them at your leisure Then do with them what you will In the interi ht not be able to undo all the dae he caused, but perhaps I'll shake so a few prospective thieves fro Pembourne Does that satisfactorily address your concerns?"

Slayde gave an audible sigh of relief "It does"

"Have we covered all your objections, then?"

"To my amazement, yes"

"Good" Julian's fingers tightened about Aurora's "Then 'tis tiave her a conspiratorial wink that spoke volumes "The future—and all it entails"

Chapter 5

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"Ah, Rory Excellent It's five minutes past six You're just in time for tea and