Free The Black Diamond by Andrea Kane Page B

could be acquired in this type of work?
     
    How many he himself had already acquired?
     
    No. She hadn't. And it was up to him to apprise her.
     
    "Aurora," he said abruptly. "Before we continue, you need to understand a few things, not only about the black diamond, but about me."
     
    "Very well." She settled herself, folding her hands in her lap. "I'm listening."
     
    "I'll begin with the stone. There are dangers associated with hunting it down, just as there were when our great-grandfathers went after it. Why else do you think Geoffrey, after two decades of serving the King, suddenly made provisions with his solicitor to keep the Fox's journal and dagger, something he hadn't done prior to any of his previous missions? He obviously realized the dangers were far greater than usual, that there were hordes of bloodthirsty privateers out there who would gladly slit his throat to gain possession of the jewel."
     
    "I surmised as much," Aurora put in as calmly as if she were discussing a change in the weather.
     
    "Aurora." Julian's palms dropped to her shoulders, gripped them tightly. "I vowed to your brother mere minutes ago that I would make certain you remained safe. I mean to keep that vow. But I need your cooperation. This isn't a game. Privateers don't adhere to rules, nor do they operate by a code of honor. If you and I strike an agreement, it will be I—not you—who incur the risks. Is that clear?"
     
    Exhilaration splashed across Aurora's face. " That's why you're so adamant about this marriage taking place. You not only believe that by joining forces we can expedite the search for the black diamond, you believe my help is required to unearth it. What is it I must do? Where is it we must travel to gather our clues? India? Tibet? China?"
     
    This was worse than Julian had feared. "Did you hear a word I just said?" he demanded.
     
    "I heard you." She sat forward eagerly. "Tell me where we must voyage to ensure that it is we and not those odious privateers of whom you spoke who find the stone."
     
    "If I'm right—nowhere."
     
    Her shoulders slumped. "Nowhere?"
     
    "Other than Pembourne and Morland Manor," Julian amended, finding it difficult not to smile at her crestfallen expression. "Consider the facts. Our great-grandfathers were partners. Mine left the legacy of the Fox to his first deserving heir. It stands to reason that the Falcon might very well have done the same. 'Tis up to us to find that legacy, in whatever form James left it. By reading Geoffrey's journal, I peeled back one layer of the past. 'Tis time we peeled back the second: namely, learning more about James. The logical place to do that is right here at Pembourne. Your great-grandfather's past might not be as concisely arranged as Geoffrey's, but he's bound to have left clues. Clues which when added to those we already possess, together with those I have yet to uncover at Morland, will shed light on the Fox and the Falcon—their lives, their treasures … and most of all, the place in which they concealed those treasures. A place that can only be uncovered by the Huntleys and the Bencrofts when working together—as partners."
     
    "You believe the black diamond is hidden in one of our homes?"
     
    "No. I believe your great-grandfather returned to England and secreted the stone in the customary hiding spot he and Geoffrey used to conceal their wares prior to delivering them to King George. 'Twas the only way James could be certain that should anything happen to him, Geoffrey would know just where to go to retrieve the stone and fulfill the mission. However, I also believe the clues leading to that location are in not one, but both our homes. And that with a direct and concentrated effort, we can amass them, find that hiding place … and consequently, the black diamond."
     
    "Which is right here in England." Aurora gave a resigned sigh. "Your theory makes sense. If all the clues are hidden at Pembourne and Morland, 'twould explain why none