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Page 26

| "If you believed that, then you'd believe the man if he told you you could buy a Sydney Harbor ferry boat for that same ten-dollar note he burned to impress you," Ashton fussed, securing Lightning's leash to the leg of a stool and taking Sasha over to the far side of the room to talk with her in private. |

| "Ashton, you seem to know so much about the man," Sasha said, searching his eyes for answers. |

| "Everyone knows a confidence man when they see one," Ashton said, then forked an eyebrow. "Except you, it seems." |

| "Ashton, I sensed more in your meeting than the recognition of a confidence man," Sasha ventured, knowing by Ashton's reaction that she had guessed correctly. Her questioning caused Ashton to tense up and look guardedly over at the man who had strolled casually to the bar, ordering drinks for everyone. "Who is he, Ashton? You have met before, haven't you?" |

| "Aye, I know of him," Ashton grumbled, his eyes squinting angrily as he watched Stanford. "His reputation precedes him, you might say." He nodded toward Stanford. "Look at him. See how free and easy he spends his money?" |

| "Yes," Sasha said, nodding. "It seems that he is quite an affluent man. Yet how can he remain wealthy if he so easily squanders his money? Why Ashton, I have never seen such a spendthrift as he!" |

| Ashton laughed throatily as he leaned his back against the wall. "It's all a part of the con game, sweet darlin'," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "The greasy swindler. Just watch him. He'll |

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