<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/05/Graham_Ellery_1.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Graham Ellery</strong></span></div></div><div class="floatleft">(http://)</div>Graham watched Meg closely, possibly reading her visage as much as he listened to her words. If she was lying, then she was one the best obfuscators of the truth he'd ever seen. Given Graham's involvement in politics, he'd seen a fair few of those pass by. But no, she did not seem capable of hiding the truth from them in that situation. Still though, there was a reason why lord Stanton was still there. The old man would not have a direct say in the matter or a direct sway on the young lord Ellery's decision, but his insight was invaluable. It wasn't a big secret that, despite having governed the Ellery lands for a number of years already, there were still many areas where Graham was lacking. Wisdom and knowledge were two of those; both of which came best with age. As Asher would most likely love to point out, Stanton definitely had age on his side. And so, once she finished with her brief recounting, he turned his gaze to the elderly lord.<br/><br/>Stanton seemed to piece together what his superior wanted from him, so he cleared his throat and looked over to Meg. His voice was much calmer than it had been during the earlier discussion that Meg had caught the tail end of. Its tone was soothing and gentle, despite a layer of aged grit. Grey eyes showed genuine sympathy and no small amount of compassion. He could be a handful, but he wasn't a bad person. Merely... sometimes he was too busy with the political side of issues for his own good, or that of his humanity.<br/><strong>"First and foremost, lady O'Hourihane, my condolences and sympathies for your loss and what you have been forced to go through. If you have indeed been dealt a grave injustice, I am certain the crown will see to it that recompense finds its way to you,"</strong> he started, before coughing slightly to clear his throat. <strong>"I knew a O'Hourihane a long time ago. I would wager it must have been your grandfather. Through him I heard of what befell your father. Why has there never been any public attempt to counter the allegations of treason that took his life? Do you possess tangible proof of his innocence?"</strong><br/><br/>Graham interjected before she could answer, his arms crossing over his chest. <strong>"Please understand, my lady, that we do not mean any disrespect. But if we are going to put ourselves at risk, we need to make certain we are doing so informed, and with conviction. You will find that the men and women of House Ellery lack conviction until they see adequate proof,"</strong> he continued to be perhaps more pragmatic than he should, but these affairs were sensitive, to say the least.<br/><br/><strong>"If such proof exists, could it be used to shed some light the men hunting you, and their benefactor? If your father's innocence or their implication in the first place can be revealed, the court is sure to take your side,"</strong> Stanton continued. she would need to be careful with her answers. Something about Stanton's body language seemed to imply he knew more about her family and their tragedy than he led on. Was this some kind of test?<br/><br/><strong>"Do you possess anything else that may support your claims? Any proof beyond your word and ours that these men had engaged you and your family? And if we levy claims against them, what could their counter-argument be?"</strong> Graham's eyes narrowed. <strong>"Any skeletons in the closet we should be aware of that could be used to discredit us?"</strong> he knew nothing of her family, beyond some basic hearsay, such as where their ancestral domain lay. He needed some time to research, beyond her own answers.</div>