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"Upsettingme incredibly happy I saw the elation on your face yesterday as you explored Merlin Manor—strolling the beach, beco acquainted with the servants—and I suddenly wanted nothing more than to transform my estate into the very home you just proclaier I realize now that ever since wethe perpetual and inexplicable need to do so to do: put down roots Reconsidering Mr Scollard's words in light of that fact, I begin to understand what he meant when he said you were a journey unto yourself, at the sa that my destination had yet to be reached" Julian caressed her face, his eyes alight onder "He'll be proud to know that reatest blessing I could ever iine"

"The greatest blessing for us both," Aurora amended softly She inclined her head, infused with a different type of joy "You've pondered Mr Scollard's words?"

"Thoroughly and repeatedly," Julian confiralloped toward the black cliffs, 'twas as if he were inside s he'd said two days past I kept hearing his voice describing Barnes as having a wealth of resolution hovering at his feet, e the fact that Barnes possessed the ability to draw forth ghosts of the past that had to be silenced forever, else the future would re to our future, Rory, not merely that of the black diamond"

"And the ghosts we had to resolve—you think he meant Macall?"

"And Guillford"

"Yes, and Guillford" Aurora pursed her lips "Sources expected and unknown—lurking in numbers, and in numbers were undone"

"So you heard Scollard's voice, too"

"I always do"

"We heeded his counsel," Julian pronounced "You took care of me, and I of you"

"And now?"

"Noe do his bidding We return to tell him of our discovery"

"He's going to have answers for us this ti it was true "Or perhaps we'll supply those answers ourselves … with the aid of Mr Scollard's ic"

"Perhaps" Julian cupped his wife's face between his palms "In any case, the obstacles are behind us, soleil"

Aurora nodded "All but one"

"The black diamond"