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Aurora's exhilaration gave way to keen awareness just after their carriage turned onto the main road

Abruptly Julian beca the phaeton three times to scan behind the the horses and swinging down from his seat to prowl about

"We're bei

ng followed," Aurora determined

"Yes This time we are" Julian strolled around in front of the phaeton, pretending to check the horses' tack, his gaze darting about the clusters of trees surrounding the is not far behind" He frowned thoughtfully "I'd investigate this on foot, but I won't leave you"

"I'll go with you" Aurora began to climb down

"No," Julian co about with you alongside, he'll realize we've spotted him I think we should continue on to Morland Our pursuer evidently thinks we're heading so"

"How do you know that?"

"Because the route that leads inland to Newton Abbot is a fairly well-traveled one No cohwayman follows people froht"

"Except you don't believe our pursuer is a cohwayman," Aurora reminded him

"True, I don't I think our pursuer knows precisely who and why Which is all the more reason he'll hold off No one who's familiar with my ability to defend myself would dare attack me under these conditions—not if he wanted to live Further, I think the point is a ures out our destination, his interest in us will vanish, at least for the ti Remebut suspicious; 'twould see in the world"

"As opposed to theif you were going off in search of—or to collect—the black diamond"

Julian flashed her a suided the horses onto the road, continuing their journey as if nothing were amiss

"That o on our way and hope our pursuer loses interest"