“Okay.” He rolled to his side and extended a hand out to her.
Kait took his hand and squeezed it tightly.
“I love you, Kait,” he said, from the depths of his soul.
Her smile was dazzling. “I love you, Aurelian.”
“I think my timing was better earlier.” Marc walked into the room. “Do you need a moment?”
“We’re going to have all the moments we need,” Kait said.
Aurelian felt as if his heart would burst from happiness.
Marc chuckled. “There is nothing finer than the blossoming of love,n’est-ce pas? I am over the moon for both of you. My old friend and a woman so remarkable, I suspect she must be French. What was your mother’s maiden name,cherie?”
“Enough!” Aurelian laughed. “Enough, you old rascal. Save your genealogical research for later and tell me what the hell happened on the ship.”
Marc shrugged. “Naturally, I had the nerve gas diffuser ready. I waited for a sign from you, and after you so ingeniously told Kait here to fall to her knees, I saw your signal, and that was that.” He turned to Kait. “I must say, you took to your training amazingly well.”
“What about Harold Dawes, my friend?” asked Aurelian suddenly.
Mark paused before replying carefully. “I was concerned Mr. Dawes was still a danger to Kait’s safety and so I used my pistol to remove the threat.”
Aurelian shuddered as he imagined what a flechette pistol would do to a man’s head at close range.
“His life was mine to take, Marc,” said Kait, a hint of anger in her voice.
“Or mine,” Aurelian added.
“My dear friends,” Marc began, “in time you may see I have done you a favour.” Suddenly the mask of affability slipped, and Marc appeared to be looking at something a great distance away. “You do not want such a thing on your conscience.”
Goose bumps rose on Aurelian’s arms.
“But that is a concern for another day,non? For now,” Marc resumed, once again the very soul of geniality, “there is someone else who would like to see you, I believe.” He nodded towards the door where Madeline Marx strode in, trailed by the impeccable Cornelius.
The CEO of the Pleasure House radiated fierce triumph. “Well done!” she enthused. “Everyone safe, and a cancer excised from a beloved and venerable institution. I wanted to personally thank both of you,” said Madeline, shaking their hands.
“The Pleasure House of Tarma owes you a debt of gratitude. Exactly how the House intends to repay that debt,” she added wryly, “will be explained by Cornelius. I simply wish to express my happiness at the results. I will leave you to what I hope will be a speedy recovery.” She swept out of the room.
Aurelian and Kait glanced at each other quizzically as Cornelius stepped forward, clearing his throat.
“Please allow me to explain further,” he said smoothly. “Miss Pyne, the House has decided to honour your sister’s memory by establishing a scholarship in her name. It will be awarded each year to a suitable young woman who may not have the strongest academic record but who wishes to pursue unconventional goals. The scholarship may be redeemed at any institution of the recipient’s choice. It is of course our hope you will be a member of the selection committee to choose the recipient each year.”
Tears sparkled in Kait’s eyes. “Thank you,” she said. “I think that sounds lovely.” She dabbed at her eyes.
“It is our further hope,” continued Cornelius, “that you will accept the House’s offer of employment, in the research branch of our investigations division. We encourage you to take some time to consider the offer, the details of which will be sent to you by the end of the day. You will find the salary, benefits, and incentive package to be very competitive.”
Giving Kait time to absorb this information, Cornelius turned to Aurelian. “Mr. Reynard, the House believes your talents are wasted in human resources and would like to offer you your former position as submission master.”
“I courteously decline your offer,” Aurelian glanced at Kait. “My only work in submission will be continued in a…private capacity.”
She smiled.
Cornelius gave a slight cough. “Miss Marx anticipated this might be the case. She instructed me to tell you two things, should you refuse this offer. She said to say, first, any job in the company aside from hers was yours for the asking, and second”—he frowned—“that you’re a smarter man than you look. Ahem.”
Tears again ran down Kait’s face, this time from laughter. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably.
“I have told this to him before,” said Marc helpfully.
“Hold on.” Kait gasped for breath. “I don’t want to forget. There was a young man named Lawrence Nevin. He showed incredible bravery and probably saved my life. He deserves for this to be remembered.”
“Ah, Mr. Nevin,” said Cornelius. “You will doubtless be happy to know Mr. Nevin has been offered, and has accepted, permanent employment with the House. As an additional bonus personally authorized by Miss Marx, Mr. Nevin is currently enjoying a two-week holiday at the House’s expense with”—Cornelius consulted his tablet—“five of our recently graduated Pleasure Consorts.”
“Five?” Kate marveled.
“Good lord, they’ll kill him,” Aurelian sputtered.
“Ah, my friends…” Marc smiled beatifically at the vision of Lawrence’s holiday. “But what a way to go,non?”
