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“I spoke to him briefly when I rode round to the stable As I said, he es the estate That it is Henry Fernall who pays the servants’ wages” He paused “How do you find Mr Blackwood?”

“Mr Blackwood?” She rarely saw the man “He is hardly ever about when I am in residence”

During the rare occasions when their paths did happen to cross, he struggled to hold her gaze Not that she was coave his face a wild, almost feral appearance that made the hairs at her nape stand on end

“Does that not strike you as odd? Surely there are matters of estate business that require some communication”

She shrugged “Henry keeps him busy”

“As the heir, it is reasonable to expect Henry to oversee things But soe stems from more than a need to be helpful”

“Henry owns Highley Grange” And oh, how he enjoyed re As per the stipulations of my husband’s will, I am permitted to live here until I remarry or until I meet my demise”

Tristan’s eyes widened “Why did you not ives him motive”

“Perhaps it gives hihten me but not to murder his own father”

“Shush Keep your voice low” Tristan glanced at the open door “I assume you have been provided for financially”

“I have a small allowance” She was not frivolous, and so it was adequate for her tastes “I’m told circumstances would have been different if I’d had a child”

He sat back and closed his eyes briefly “Has there ever been a child?”

It took a“No Thankfully, I have never had to deal with such a terrible loss” Still, she felt the dull ache in her chest at the thought of never being a mother

“But you were married for three years”

The snigger of contempt was louder than she anticipated “It takes a little e to produce a child”