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“I sy ive Speenhanored He was here for information

“Indeed, today my father is off to Walboro for he received word from a friend that my cousin, Edas seen in that vicinity,” Alfred said on a hushed tone

“Allow uilty of the crime of which he has been accused?” the duke asked quietly as he studied Alfred for a reaction

Alfred’s eyes narrowed and the duke realized the young man was not as much a fool as he presented to the world Speenhaht the duke, this would prove interesting

Alfred seemed to choose his words carefully, “Ah, do we, his fauilty? It has been difficult not to He was seeing Celia clandestinely and then the page fro that Celia meant to force his hand to marry her Perhaps in a desperate moment…who knows?”

“And what of his sister?” the duke pursued

“A to do with it No, no However, she is his loyal twin and also inclined to i hi him from a false accusation” He shook his head, “My father put it well, only thisbefore he left for Walboro He said, mark me Alfred, Amanda is a spirited female, but we’ll not allow her to be ruined by these actions”

“Am I to understand that your father intends to locate his nephew and bring him to stand trial?” at this point the duke found it iuise his displeasure

“Indeed, what else can he do, but you needn’t worry about Amanda If she is to be my wife one day, ill not allow this terrible crime to implicate her in any way”

The duke nearly choked The thought of the spirited Mandy as wife to the poalled “Your wife?” the duke raised a brow and had a strong urge to land hi for her hand, and she is my ward”

“Well, as to that, I haven’t yet started to court her, but it is my intention When we put this uardianship, I will of course, apply to you for her hand,” Alfred said without heat He frowned and continued, “And I never discussed it with Amanda as of course…”

“Never mind,” the duke waved it all off “Back to the meat of theabout and as you and your father are related to the Sherborne twins and I aent”

“Precisely, but there seehed obviously unconcerned

The duke tried another approach, “Were you well acquainted with poor Miss Celia?”

“She was exquisite and sophisticated in a , quite a hoyden,” Alfred said and sighed