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Dariell rose slowly He helped Mr Guthrie cradle the cup “Sip the tea until you have drained the contents” He jerked his head to the door, indicating that Lydia and Greystone should follow him

Once outside in the courtyard he clasped his hands behind his back and simply stared at them

“What is it?” Greystone asked “You’re looking at me as if I’m a boy of ten and have ripped a hole in my best breeches”

“I have watched you weave the e your mother” Dariell’s expression ree and strength born from a clear and focused mind Yet here, you cannot see what is so obvious” A s and a curse, no?”

Lydia glanced at Greystone

Whenever their eyes met, she felt such an intense euphoria it almost knocked her off her feet These powerful emotions played havoc with one’s iven herself to hiic

Dariell’s words flitted through her mind

It occurred to her that she et

“Perhaps Cecil had a hand in staging these incidents” The words left her lips, but she struggled to believe them But then her brother always looked for the coward’s way out Yes, had he not said Gilligan was coerced into confessing? “Cecil is far too craven to meet you on the coe, and he’s turned to other methods to serve his end Had there been a fire here, I would have had no choice but to go home”

Dariell inclined his head “Miss Lovell’s logic is at least heading in the right direction,” he said cryptically “But Fate intends to lead you on a merry dance”

Greystone clenched his jaw “Then Gilligan must be closer than we think” He rubbed his chin while lost in thought “Close enough to receive communication from someone Whether it be your brother or either of mine”

“Close enough to cause ht,” Dariell added with a hint of intrigue “There must be somewhere you have not yet looked Somewhere that would not be an obvious choice”

Greystone shook his head but then his eyes widened “There’s the old gah fe of its location It’s a raht there”

“I think any man capable of theft and arson is not of sound mind,” Lydia said

“Then I shall head there immediately”