softly, “call me Courtney, as you did a few minutes past. I realize it’s a bit unorthodox, but then so is the fact that you’ve taken a total stranger into your home and are now visiting her chambers. In addition, to be honest, I’ve never in my life been addressed as ‘Miss Johnston’—with the exception of the one loathsome year I spent at Madame La Salle’s Boarding School for Young Ladies. And that is a period of time I’d like to forget. As, I’m sure, Madame La Salle is doing her best to forget me.”
The earl surprised her—and himself—by chuckling, a husky sound that rolled through Courtney like warm honey. “How ominous. Very well then, Courtney. My favor is as follows: would you consider staying on at Pembourne as Aurora’s companion? Not just while you’re recuperating, but afterward. Until my adventure-seeking sister drives you away. You’d be doing me a great service.”
Courtney swallowed, staring at his white linen shirt front. “A service? That sounds more like a cloaked offer of charity. After all, your sister is hardly of an age where she needs a governess. No, Lord Pembourne, I cannot accept, although I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ’Tis difficult enough for me to lie here and permit your staff to wait upon me while I’m confined to bed. But the instant my body is strong enough, I’ll be on my way. I won’t take advantage of your kindness, avail myself of your home and your servants, when I can do nothing to repay you.”
“Trust me—given Aurora’s nature, ’tis I who will be in your debt, not the other way around.” Roughly, Slayde cleared his throat. “Courtney, I’m going to be frank. You and I have just determined we share a mutual goal: unearthing those involved in feigning Aurora’s kidnapping and murdering your father. Answer me this: if you were to leave Pembourne tomorrow, would it not be to hunt down that pirate?”
A small nod.
“Well, I intend to immerse myself in the task of doing, just that, starting by investigating a man I believe could lead us right to your father’s killer; namely, Lawrence Bencroft. I’ll delve as deep and as long as it takes to determine Morland’s involvement.”
“And if the duke is not involved?”
“Then I’ll find out who is. Further, my resources are far more vast than yours. So why strike out on your own when by remaining at Pembourne you can benefit from my findings?”
“While contributing what in return?” Courtney asked with quiet dignity, “I won’t accept charity.”
“I don’t think you realize just how much peace of mind you’d be affording me by keeping Aurora distracted and entertained. Translated, that means safe and accounted for, something my vast array of servants seem unable to ensure. From the reports I received upon returning from India ten days past, Aurora succeeded in sneaking out of Pembourne twice in three months, this last journey notwithstanding—a record even for my sister. And that doesn’t take into account the six or seven unsuccessful attempts she made to beg, blackmail, or trick her way past the staff.”
“Where is it she wishes to go?”
“I shudder to think. Fortunately, she’s ofttimes content with the lighthouse as a destination. She’s enthralled by Mr. Scollard, its keeper. I have no idea why, nor do I care to find out. All I know is that she dashes off to see him every chance she gets. And, eventually, one of my footmen drags her home.”
Spontaneous laughter bubbled up inside Courtney, her first real laughter in nearly a week. “My lord, if you don’t mind my saying so, you must have the most exhausted servants in all of England. And the most single-minded of sisters. I can’t imagine one woman requiring a houseful of people to oversee her.”
“Imagine it. You’ve never met Aurora.”
“Evidently not. In which case, suppose I accept your terms. Has it occurred to you that if your sister is as headstrong as you say, she might not be amenable to
The earl surprised her—and himself—by chuckling, a husky sound that rolled through Courtney like warm honey. “How ominous. Very well then, Courtney. My favor is as follows: would you consider staying on at Pembourne as Aurora’s companion? Not just while you’re recuperating, but afterward. Until my adventure-seeking sister drives you away. You’d be doing me a great service.”
Courtney swallowed, staring at his white linen shirt front. “A service? That sounds more like a cloaked offer of charity. After all, your sister is hardly of an age where she needs a governess. No, Lord Pembourne, I cannot accept, although I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ’Tis difficult enough for me to lie here and permit your staff to wait upon me while I’m confined to bed. But the instant my body is strong enough, I’ll be on my way. I won’t take advantage of your kindness, avail myself of your home and your servants, when I can do nothing to repay you.”
“Trust me—given Aurora’s nature, ’tis I who will be in your debt, not the other way around.” Roughly, Slayde cleared his throat. “Courtney, I’m going to be frank. You and I have just determined we share a mutual goal: unearthing those involved in feigning Aurora’s kidnapping and murdering your father. Answer me this: if you were to leave Pembourne tomorrow, would it not be to hunt down that pirate?”
A small nod.
“Well, I intend to immerse myself in the task of doing, just that, starting by investigating a man I believe could lead us right to your father’s killer; namely, Lawrence Bencroft. I’ll delve as deep and as long as it takes to determine Morland’s involvement.”
“And if the duke is not involved?”
“Then I’ll find out who is. Further, my resources are far more vast than yours. So why strike out on your own when by remaining at Pembourne you can benefit from my findings?”
“While contributing what in return?” Courtney asked with quiet dignity, “I won’t accept charity.”
“I don’t think you realize just how much peace of mind you’d be affording me by keeping Aurora distracted and entertained. Translated, that means safe and accounted for, something my vast array of servants seem unable to ensure. From the reports I received upon returning from India ten days past, Aurora succeeded in sneaking out of Pembourne twice in three months, this last journey notwithstanding—a record even for my sister. And that doesn’t take into account the six or seven unsuccessful attempts she made to beg, blackmail, or trick her way past the staff.”
“Where is it she wishes to go?”
“I shudder to think. Fortunately, she’s ofttimes content with the lighthouse as a destination. She’s enthralled by Mr. Scollard, its keeper. I have no idea why, nor do I care to find out. All I know is that she dashes off to see him every chance she gets. And, eventually, one of my footmen drags her home.”
Spontaneous laughter bubbled up inside Courtney, her first real laughter in nearly a week. “My lord, if you don’t mind my saying so, you must have the most exhausted servants in all of England. And the most single-minded of sisters. I can’t imagine one woman requiring a houseful of people to oversee her.”
“Imagine it. You’ve never met Aurora.”
“Evidently not. In which case, suppose I accept your terms. Has it occurred to you that if your sister is as headstrong as you say, she might not be amenable to
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