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“I’m…” She licked her lips

He stared at her, his heart full of darkness and fury

“I’m…” she said in a low voice She took a deep breath, briefly closing her eyes as she said, “I’nant”

He exhaled in a rush “You’re not?”

She stared at him Her eyes were pools of darkness

Relief coursed through hier

He hadn’t been wrong about her! She could be trusted! He hadn’t been such a fool as he’d feared!

Then, staring at Louisa’s tight shoulders and barely concealed fury, he reconsidered that statement If she was innocent, he’d just treated her very badly indeed

Looking at her with sudden regret, he rubbed the back of his head wryly He’d let Novros’s suspicions get to hiht in irritation, spinning the facts for his own reasons, hoping to cause friction between Rafael and his housekeeper Hoping he could get Louisa for himself!

He sighed So as a stupid fool after all…?

“Sorry,” he said, spreading his hands wide and giving her his best set the best of me I should have known I could trust you, Louisa…”

But as he reached out for her shoulder, she backed away before he could touch her

Rafael ground his teeth, silently cursing both his own untrusting nature and the Greek business rival who’d so easily ed to cause such trouble in his household

“So, Miss Grey,” he said in a deter skills are desperately needed at o fix it up, just as you’ve done here There’s no reason to stay in Istanbul any longer, as I just gave this house away in a business deal—”

“You did what?”