Free The Black Diamond by Andrea Kane

tracked James down and demanded he turn over the stone. But remember, the agreement between our great-grandfathers was that they go to the King together . So, I'm willing to bet that James told very few people he'd returned, and no one about the location of the black diamond. Less than a week later, he died. As for why the King didn't reveal the truth about the Fox and the Falcon after both had perished, my guess is that he was afraid to take the risk. Remember, the Fox and the Falcon hadn't managed to restore the gem, only to find it. If word of their mission were to have seeped out, it would have appeared to some as if England intended to keep the jewel—and the fortune it generated—for itself. Moreover, the King himself died less than two years later, precluding any possible change of heart time might have wrought."
     
    "So the Fox and the Falcon became only a legend … until today."
     
    "Exactly."
     
    Aurora sat back, her expression more exhilarated than dazed. "This is all so incredible."
     
    "The rest of the tales are equally incredible. Each and every one of the quests my great-grandfather described is a dazzling adventure unto itself. When you read that journal…"
     
    "May I?" Aurora jumped in eagerly. "May I read the journal?"
     
    Julian had been awaiting that particular request. "Hmm," he replied, taking his time, presumably entertaining the notion. "I don't know what to say. The journal was, after all, meant for my eyes and my eyes alone. To show it to a—what was the term you used? Ah—to a virtual stranger, would be a blatant violation of my great-grandfather's wishes." One brow arched in undisguised challenge. "On the other hand, if my wife were to come upon the journal by chance, if her curiosity were to overcome her self-restraint, compelling her to read the entries—then, that would be an accident of fate, would it not?"
     
    Despite herself, Aurora began to laugh. "You, Julian, are a shameless rogue. Tell me, is there ever a time you don't get what you want?"
     
    "Until now, no." Julian raised Aurora's chin with a determined forefinger, reminding himself why he was here and what he intended to accomplish. "In this instance only you can decide whether I get what I want. My unblemished record, Rory, is in your hands."
     
    "Somehow I suspect your record is the only unblemished thing about you."
     
    "You're evading my question."
     
    "Actually I'm preparing to ask my own. Everything you just revealed to me about the Fox and the Falcon—how does it factor into your proposal? How will my becoming your wife ensure the success of whatever goal you hope to attain?"
     
    "By reestablishing a partnership that was thwarted sixty years ago, and by seeing it through to fruition." Julian's tone grew fervent, all humor vanishing beneath the conviction that pulsed through his veins. "Think about it, Rory. By combining all the Huntley and Bencroft resources, including individual fragments of information left to each of us, we can fulfill our great-grandfathers' mission. As a result, we can restore dignity to their names, justify their cause, and end a sixty-year period of ostracism and hatred that should never have been."
     
    "You intend to hunt for the black diamond."
     
    "I intend to find it. Find it and restore it to its rightful place in India."
     
    Aurora raised her chin a notch higher, studying Julian with uncanny insight. "This means a great deal to you, far more than another exciting adventure, and far more than honor. After all, you didn't even know your great-grandfather, and according to you, you had no use for either your father or your grandfather. Monetary gain certainly isn't a factor, not if you mean to turn over the stone without reaping a reward. So what is this ardent resolution of yours based on?"
     
    Julian sucked in his breath, taken aback by her perception. "I'm not sure which stuns me more, your audacity or your insight."
     
    "My audacity, most likely," she supplied. "Slayde tells