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Silence.
“Very well, then there is but one other way to achieve my end.” Half turning, Slayde gestured for Mathers to enter. “Mr. Mathers will be handing each one of you a blank sheet of paper. Once that’s been done, I will read to you the contents of a note left for Aurora by her accomplice at the rear door of the manor. You will pen the sentence precisely as I read it. When each of you has completed that task, you will hand your paper to Cutterton, who will place a number on your page and make a corresponding entry on a list that I alone will keep. After all the pages are collected, I will retire to my study, where I will compare each of your hands with that on the note. When I find a match, I’ll have what I need. Are there any questions?”
One stableboy raised his hand nervously. “Pard
on me, m’lord, but I can’t write.”
“Those of you who can’t write are excused. Please check with Mr. Cutterton at the door and he will make note of that fact for the list.” A muscle flexed in Slayde’s jaw. “I strongly suggest the guilty party does not feign the inability to write as a means of evading his task. I have files on every person I hire. I intend to verify who can and cannot read and write.” A weighty pause. “In the interim, Mathers, you can begin.”
Twenty minutes later, there were half the number of people in the room as there had been initially, and each of the remaining occupants held a sheet of paper and a quill.
Cutterton left the doorway and approached Courtney, signaling to Mathers to join them. “Forgive me, Miss Johnston,” he said, “but I must ask you to participate as well.”
Courtney’s jaw dropped. “I?”
“Yes.” Cutterton turned to Slayde and explained. “I apologize for embarrassing your betrothed, sir. But I must be thorough. And Miss Johnston is Lady Aurora’s closest friend, constant companion, and most willing cohort. I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask her to take part in this exercise.”
“Really, Cutterton…” Slayde began.
“It’s all right.” Courtney waved away Slayde’s protest, her chin held high. “If Mr. Cutterton feels it necessary, I’m more than willing to participate.” She extended her hand to Mathers.
“You’re sure?” Slayde asked her quietly.
“Perfectly sure.” She accepted the paper and quill. “As you yourself just said, Pembourne has become my home and its occupants my family. There should be no doubts or deception between us.”
“Very well. Then we’re ready to begin.”
“Slayde,” Aurora protested, “how could you ask Courtney…”
“You are excused,” Slayde pronounced. “Please retire to your chambers at once.”
Aurora stared at him in a show of disbelief. Her mouth opened and closed once, twice. Then she gathered up her skirts and fled.
“As I was saying,” Slayde continued, “we can now begin. Each of you pen the following phrase: ‘Use this door for coming and going.’ ”
Dutifully, the servants complied.
Slayde waited until they were all staring at him once more. “You’re all free to return to your duties,” he said. “Hand your papers to Cutterton as you leave the room. Oh, and one other thing. If the person responsible should experience a change of heart and decide to confess, I’ll be in my study. If not, I’ll eventually be sending for you.” Pointedly, Slayde surveyed the room. “Thank you all. Once this incident is behind us, we can begin the more joyful task of planning a wedding.”
The servants came forward, turning in their papers, some nervous, others matter-of-fact. Siebert bowed and congratulated Courtney and Slayde, his pleasure warm and genuine. Miss Payne offered her congratulations as well, although, Courtney noticed with amusement, she couldn’t quite meet their gazes after what she perceived as last night’s indiscretion. Matilda harbored no such reservations. She stepped over, squeezing Courtney’s hands and beaming ear to ear. “I’m so thrilled for you,” she murmured. “I wish you all the happiness you and Lord Pembourne deserve.”
“Thank you,” Courtney whispered, her throat tight with emotion. “Matilda—” She knew she shouldn’t be doing this, not before everyone was exonerated, but she just couldn’t help herself. Matilda was innocent. No one could convince her otherwise. “When all this is over, when Slayde and I are married…” Courtney swallowed. “Would you do me the honor of staying on, not just at Pembourne, but with me? As I understand it, a countess requires a lady’s maid. And, while I know I’ll be terribly difficult to train, given all the years offending for myself, I can think of no one better equipped with the necessary love and patience to tackle the job. Nor anyone I’d rather have beside me. Would you consider it?”
Tears gathered in Matilda’s eyes. “ ’Twould be an honor, Miss Courtney.”
“Pardon me, ma’am,” Cutterton interjected, stepping over to address Matilda. “Your paper?”
Matilda dabbed at her eyes. “Of course, sir. Here.” She presented it, giving Courtney’s arm another squeeze before hastening off.
“Don’t bellow at me, Cutterton,” Courtney muttered, seeing his disapproving frown. “Else I truly will help Aurora by telling her about the half-dozen escape routes I’ve discerned from my bedroom window—routes even she has yet to find and try.” Courtney inclined her head at Cutterton, smiling at the stunned expression on his face. “I think you and I are going to get on famously, don’t you?”
“I think you and Aurora are going to have to conduct classes for my investigative and security staff.” Slayde’s dry retort came from just behind her.
Courtney whirled about to face him, noting that the room was now empty. “Is it time?”
“Yes.” A scowl. “I still don’t like the idea of your accompanying me to such a seedy section of Dartmouth.”
“Slayde—don’t.” She lay her hand on his forearm. “We’ve come too far for this. I need to be there. Besides, Oridge’s message said everything is under control. He’s keeping our friend company until we arrive.”
