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“To London.” Aurora’s face lit up. “It was exhilarating. Elinore took me to balls at Almack’s and Carlton House. We rode in Hyde Park and shopped on Bond Street. I even peeked into White’s and caught a glimpse of the gaming.”
“Are you telling me you’ve spent the better part of the last week traipsing about London, with no protection whatsoever?”
Her chin came up. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“You didn’t bother mentioning this intended excursion to our staff,” Slayde accused harshly. “Or is it a coincidence that not one of them reported it to me? Nor, for that matter, did they report Elinore’s visit or your subsequent departure.”
A flicker of guilt. “I met Elinore at the lighthouse. It was the only way I could leave Pembourne without being questioned or accompanied. In my confirming note, I explained to Elinore that I needed to drop something off at the lighthouse prior to our departure and asked if her carriage could collect me there. She agreed. As for our servants, they hadn’t a clue of my plans. I merely strolled off in my customary direction. And, since my own wardrobe is sadly lacking in gowns appropriate for a Season, I had no reason to carry a bag. Instead, Elinore and I purchased all I needed in London. She was wonderful. And, in case you’re entertaining the possibility that she was involved in my little plot, don’t. This is the first she’s hearing of it. So don’t even consider blaming her.”
“Fear not—I blame you.”
“Slayde, forgive me for intruding,” Lady Stanwyk murmured, inserting herself with the grace and refinement she so naturally exuded. At forty years of age, she was still a striking woman, her dark hair perfectly coiffed, her green muslin dress cut to her exact specifications. “I’m terribly sorry this dreadful mix-up had to occur. And ’tis true: this is the first I’ve heard of Aurora’s scheme. Certainly I don’t condone it; nor would I have agreed to go along with it if I had. But with regard to her safety, truly, she was quite secure and fully chaperoned. We were accompanied by two ladies’ maids, a carriage driver, and four footmen. We stayed at my London Townhouse, which is fully staffed. Not to mention the fact that I was with Aurora every waking moment.” The viscountess gave a delicate cough. “Other than when she darted from my carriage for that one brief dash down St. James Street to view the men’s clubs. And even then, she was in my line of vision.”
“I stopped only at White’s,” Aurora said in quick clarification. “And I raced back to Elinore’s carriage the moment her footman came to retrieve me—that is, after I’d viewed White’s grand bow window and squinted my way through one game of whist.”
“How reassuring,” Slayde bit out.
“Safety was never an issue, Slayde,” Elinore repeated. “Nor was cruelty. After all—in Aurora’s defense—despite the rashness of her methods, she’d assumed you’d read her note and were apprised of her whereabouts. Had either of us known otherwise, we would have rushed right home. Surely you believe that.”
The helpless fury raging inside Slayde banked, and he turned to the viscountess, abruptly realizing how boorishly he was behaving. “Elinore, forgive me. This argument has nothing to do with you and should not be taking place in your presence. Thank you for taking such excellent care of Aurora and for introducing her to the fashionable world that she was evidently determined to experience.”
“I’m twenty years old, Slayde,” Aurora reminded him. “And you’ve never even brought me out. Is it so wrong for me to want to—”
“We’ll discuss this later, Aurora,” Slayde broke in, jaw clenched in warning. “For now, I want the viscountess to know how much we appreciate her excellent care-taking.”
“You needn’t thank me for spending time with Aurora,” Lady Stanwyk demurred, waving off Slayde’s thanks. “Your parents were Theomund’s and my closest friends; Aurora is like a daughter to me. Anything I can do for her—for either of you—is my pleasure.”
Again Slayde brought his irritation under control, reminding himself that Elinore wasn’t responsible for his sister’s reckless nature. “In which case, I’ll merely ask how you’ve been.”
“For an aging widow?” A faint smile touched the viscountess’s lips. “Quite well, thanks to my refreshing and delightful excursion with Aurora.”
“Aging?” Slayde cocked a brow. “Elinore, you’re scarcely older than I.”
“How gallant of you, Slayde. However, if memory serves me correctly, you’re one and thirty, nearly a decade my junior.”
“You look and act like a young girl,” Aurora defended at once.
Elinore patted her arm. “That’s because you kept me young this week. It’s been eons since I’ve dashed from ball to ball like a wide-eyed child fresh from my Court presentation. In fact, during the two years that Theomund has been gone, I’ve seldom taken part in a London Season, much less immersed myself in one.” Her fingers brushed the stones of her necklace. “In truth, the excitement felt rather good.”
Slayde’s gaze followed her motion. “Was that a gift from Theomund?” he inquired politely.
“Yes.” She glanced down at herself. “His last before he died. Lovely, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Slayde’s expression grew thoughtful. “Actually, it reminds me very much of a necklace Mother owned.”
“It should. It’s almost identical. Your father commissioned a jeweler to design your mother’s as a Christmas gift. I admired it so often that, some years later, Theomund contacted the same jeweler to design one for me.” A worried pucker formed between the viscountess’s brows. “That doesn’t disturb you, does it? That I wear something similar to your mother’s?”
“Of course not. I’m sure it pleased Mother greatly.”
“It did. But that’s not what I meant. ’Twasn’t your mother’s reaction I was pondering.” A slow indrawn breath. “You’re away so often, I lose sight of the fact that you might still…” Her voice trailed off.
“My parents have been gone for over a decade now, Elinore,” Slayde supplied. “My wounds have healed, I assure you. However,”—he cast a sideways look at Aurora—“that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how they died. Nor have I abandoned my intentions to shelter my sister from harm.”
“Of course. I understand.” Elinore turned to Aurora. “ ’Tis time for me to take my leave. Clearly, you and your brother have things to dis
cuss.”
Aurora frowned, doubtless eager to forestall the inevitable. “But—”
