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e duke’s arainst his chest and he looked at it and then her and shook his head “I suppose I had nothing to worry about…you would have shot him dead, yourself if you had to”

She burst into tears as she wailed, “Brock…oh Brock”

Chapter Twenty

MANDY STOOD RIGIDLY before her Uncle Bevis Her eyes scanned his face, but she was filled with sympathy for him Alfred had been his only son

A part of her would never forgive hiainst her brother, but even so she felt for him in this instance

It had been a week since Alfred’s death

The gold had been recovered and Ned had been totally cleared of all charges The gossipest piece of meat they had had to chew in some years

Her uncle had decided to take an extended tour of the Highlands in Scotland, but had stopped by Sherborne Halls to make his peace with his niece and nephew

“I…I can only say, I did what I thought was right,” He spoke sadly and Mandy thought he looked older suddenly and certainly broken

“I know,” Mandy replied gently If she had wanted to point out his wrongs, she had gotten over it, for he had already lost so much She turned to her twin and said, “Come Neddy, wish Uncle Bevis a safe journey”

Ned glanced sharply at her, for he had told her that this was one relation he wanted to exclude froood-bye, then Uncle, safe journey”

Elly came into the parlor at that moment to place a tray of tea and sweet-cakes on the table Mandy smiled warmly at her She had been allowed to keep soed into currency as a reward, but her plans to leave for America had been put off Instead, she rereat affection

Their uncle left and Ned drank down his tea and sed another satha here anyet rid of her, didn’t he?”

“Hmmm,” Mandy said dreamily

“He has a surprise for you,” Ned said on a grin