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“I have a written confession from the man who carried out the attack” He could lie and iven in front of witnesses”

“What? More heathens from the demimonde? Their word pales next to mine”

Benedict was prepared to tell another lie if itthe smirk off the lord’s face “Wycliff and his father, the Marquis of Blackbeck, bore witness to the confession As did the owner of The Silver Serpent You’ll be surprised what soe for the return of their vowels”

The earl’s arrogant expression faltered He shuffled uncomfortably “Whatever this ain froement?”

Oh, he had everything to gain—control of his daughter being the prihter can ht overlook the scandal created to cause you shae”

The earl snorted

“See, you cannot deny it Your duplicity is written all over your miserable face So, as we’re the only ones here, and there are no witnesses, why don’t you show the courage of your conviction and tell the damn truth?”

A tense silence ensued

“No? Can you not stand by your decision?” Benedict braced his knuckles on the desk and leaned forward “Cowards hide behind webs of deceit Cowards know only dishonesty”

An arrogant smirk played on the earl’s thin lips “Very well” He dropped into the chair “So I did hire those h Irid of you has merit”

How Benedict stopped hiuess “So you thought a thrashing would keep me in my place?”

“It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with that bloody pohter”

“Murray?” It took a few seconds for recognition to dawn “Ah, you knew that I would eventually find the men responsible and they would reveal that Murray ordered the attack”

“The Murrays cannot treat me this way They will pay for what they’ve done Mark my words”

Benedict exhaled an incredulous snort “Treat you this way? It’s your daughter who has suffered She has suffered your prolonged cruelty her entire life”