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Isabella clutched her throat for fear of throttling the efields”

Henry appeared a little shocked “But you said—”

“No I have listened to you waffle on about your needs, yet not once have you apologised for the distress you have caused Whilst your father may have been depraved in his appetites at least he was honest” She could feel her anger breaching the dam she had built to hold her emotions at bay “Your behaviour is despicable”

All traces of emotion iped from his face, replaced with his mask of indifference “If you refuse to concede to e uncomfortable”

“No, you can’t” She would rather live in a tiny one-rooentlehley Grange, either”

He gave an arrogant so?”

“I’m afraid I refuse to discusshim with his oords

The door to the card room creaked open Matthew Chandler exited He paused outside, leant back against the wall and sucked in a ragged breath With a vigorous shake of the head, he straightened Locking gazes with her, he inclined his head as he made his way back to the ballroom

“There goes another pathetic fool,” Henry said with a sneer

His cos, ite from the house I want them returned to me Else I shall be forced to follow your unprincipled example and break a confidence I may write to Mr Forester to convey my concerns for my stepson, who has been lured to sin”

Fear flickered in his eyes “I do not know anything about anyitems”

“I do not care about the silver pin pot, the crystal vase or the candlestick, to naed to your father, now to you But I would like my ruby brooch Perhaps your hten you as to its whereabouts”

“I have already told you I made no instruction to remove valuable items”

“But you did instruct the servants to frighten me?”

He dragged his hand through his hair “Yes Yes But I shall speak to Mr Blackwood about yourbrooch Perhaps it was part of the charade”