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Julian caught her shoulders, brought her gently around. "Aurora, we can put an end to all that."
"How?"
"Before I answer your question, let me say this. I know that for years Slayde believed my grandfather killed your parents. But as we now know, he was wrong. The murderer has been caught and punished."
"That can't undo a decade of torment. Chilton might not have committed the murders, but he and Lawrence stopped just shy of doing so. They spewed their venom in every way they could—in business, in public. Even in private, directly to my father's face the very month he died, swearing vengeance, vowing to make him pay for every setback your family had endured—setbacks Papa had no more caused than he'd caused your brother's death, although heaven knows, Lawrence proclaimed that to be a Huntley act as well. Nothing stopped the Bencrofts. Chilton and Lawrence dedicated their lives to undermining us. Worst of all, they invented and perpetuated the fallacy that we were hoarding the black diamond. And I've just described to you the results of that flagrant lie. So, no, Slayde will never forgive them. Neither will I."
"He'll never forgive them," Julian repeated, cupping Aurora's chin and raising it until she met his gaze. "Perhaps that's the answer to your question about why Slayde would permit you to marry me. Perhaps your very astute brother recognizes that I'm not my father or my grandfather. I'm very much my own person." A weighted pause. "I can't undo the past, Aurora. But I sure as hell can change the future. We both can. Whether we do is up to you."
Conflicting emotions again darted across her beautiful face.
"Marry me," Julian urged softly.
"Has Slayde already given his approval?"
"He's left the decision to you."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then he intends to call me out and shoot me."
That elicited an impish grin. "It would seem 'tis I who am rescuing you, Your Grace."
"Does that mean yes?"
Amusement faded, eclipsed by a contemplative look. "You alluded to the fact that we can alter things, amend the future. The 'many reasons' you have for wanting this marriage—honor and physical attraction notwithstanding—what are they?"
This was the moment of truth, the moment Julian had anticipated with equal measures of excitement and apprehension.
He hadn't a clue how Aurora would react. But he was about to find out.
"Let's sit down." Julian guided Aurora into a chair, then perched across from her on the edge of the desk. "I'm taking a risk sharing this information with you," he stated bluntly. "As of now, I'm the only one who's privy to it. But I'm willing to take that risk because I believe you'll be as intrigued by the truth as I am … and equally eager to act upon it."
Aurora's slender brows arched. "What truth?"
"First, you must promise not to repeat this to anyone."
"Julian—" She sounded amazed. "We met only last night. Why would you have faith in my promise?"
"Instinct."
"Have you forgotten I'm a Huntley?"
"Not for a moment."
"Nor can I forget you're a Bencroft."
"I'm counting on that."
Now she looked totally baffled. "I don't understand."
"Will you give me your word not to share what I tell you? It was meant for my knowledge alone—and now yours. If the details are revealed to the wrong person, if this situation is handled incorrectly, the future could become even bleaker than the past. But if it's approached the right way, we can undo so much damage, lift a sixty-year malediction from our shoulders … and transform rogues into heroes."
Aurora tensed. "This concerns the black diamond, doesn't it?"
"Your promise, Aurora."
"You have it." She leaned toward him, her eyes round as saucers. "Do you know where the diamond is?"
