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“As you and I both know, there are some things we each must face on our own. In my case, it was more than the shock of Elinore’s guilt I was coming to terms with. It was the realization of my own stupidity. How could I not have known? How could I have trusted, befriended a deranged woman who killed just to gain possession of an unlimited supply of jewels, who murdered my parents, shattered my childhood—and Slayde’s?”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Courtney defended at once. “Elinore is insane, Aurora. She’s also very clever. She fooled everyone—right down to Miss Payne, who worked for her and knew the evil that existed beneath that elegant veneer. Think about it. Miss Payne actually believed Elinore meant to bring Grimes and her to the continent rather than leaving their bodies as food for the gulls. And why? Because—despite all she is, all she’s done—Elinore appears to be so bloody composed, in total control of herself and the situation, a lady to the core.” Courtney shook her head in amazement. “Aurora, you should have seen her. She never showed remorse, never flinched or looked away, not even when I slapped her. Nor did she look the slightest bit perturbed when Mr. Oridge announced they were going to Bow Street. All she did was open her bag, ensure that all her gems were accounted for, before smoothing her hair, readjusting her brooch, and announcing she was ready to go. If you’d seen the regal way she walked off…as if Oridge were leading her to a ballroom rather than to a jail cell.” Courtney drew a harsh breath. “A woman like that could deceive anyone.”
“I realize that now.” Aurora squeezed Courtney’s hands. “And I promise you, I’m fine. ’Tis time to bid the past good-bye. There’s a grand and glorious future awaiting us.” So saying, she shook off the momentary melancholy, leaping to her feet and glancing at the clock on the mantel. “Speaking of the future, I’m to deliver you, dressed and ready, to the lighthouse, by eight o’clock. That’s when your birthday celebration commences.”
“At eight a.m.?” Courtney began to laugh. “Does poor Mr. Scollard realize he’ll be expected to eat cake just after dawn?”
“Oh, I think so.” A mysterious smile. “I think Mr. Scollard is well prepared. Now, I’ll go fetch Matilda. She wanted to select a special gown for you in honor of the occasion.”
Watching Aurora dash off, Courtney smiled, feeling more blessed than she’d ever dreamed possible. Even the past week’s painful events—Elinore’s arrest, the announcement to the staff of Miss Payne’s betrayal, and Aurora’s understandable distress—couldn’t obliterate the joy of knowing she was about to become Slayde’s wife.
Although, between the emotional aftermath of Elinore’s guilt, Slayde’s unexpected business trip to Cornwall, and a wondrous array of wedding plans, they’d scarcely seen each other all week—other than during the darkest hours of night when Slayde would come to her, make love to her until neither of them could breathe, whisper over and over how much he loved her.
For Aurora’s sake, he always left before dawn.
But soon, that discretion would no longer be necessary.
Because, in five short days, Courtney would be Mrs. Slayde Huntley.
At that joyous thought, Courtney climbed out of bed, thinking that this was indeed the most wonderful of birthdays—far different than what she’d anticipated one short month ago when her life had seemed over, her heart empty.
Pausing, she slid open her nightstand drawer, lifting out her father’s timepiece. “Papa,” she whispered, snapping open the case. “I only wish you could share—” She broke off, her breath expelling all at once.
The watch was moving.
As she stared, the lighthouse beam shed its light across the waters, and the ship sailed forth, seeking its path. The scene unfolded like a shimmering ballet, not once, not twice, but repeatedly, making no move to slow down or stop.
Courtney stared, transfixed, wondering if this was heaven’s way of smiling down on her, blessing her future with Slayde as the time drew near for their lives to merge, to become one.
Emotion constricted her throat as she watched the scene unfold again. The beam. The ship. The journey. Each time, the sequence was the same.
And each time, the ship found its way home.
“Are you sure Mr. Scollard is expecting us?” Courtney asked anxiously as they approached the lighthouse door. “It seems utterly still.”
“Let’s go in and see.” Aurora turned the handle, guiding Courtney inside.
They’d scarcely crossed the threshold when a small flash of gold tore across the sitting room.
Yipping excitedly, it crashed into Courtney’s legs and collapsed in a tangle of squirming fur and impatient limbs.
“What on earth…?” Courtney stooped, picking up the wriggling pup, who immediately began lavishing her cheek with enthusiastic licks. Courtney was laughing so hard she could scarcely speak. “When did Mr. Scollard get a dog?”
“He didn’t,” Aurora replied. “This little lad is a visitor. He won’t be staying.”
“He’s precious,” Courtney said, inspecting the pup, who, momentarily nestled in the crook of her arm, then broke free, leaping to the ground and racing after his tail. “He’s a babe, scarcely a few months old.” She glanced at Aurora. “How did he get here?”
“He’s ten weeks,” Aurora supplied. “As for his background, his mother belongs to a family in the village. Unfortunately, their cottage isn’t large enough to accommodate a litter of pups. They managed to find homes for all of them—except this fellow. Evidently, he was too spirited for his own good. His wild racing about discouraged those families who came to look at him. ’Tis a pity. When he came to the lighthouse, he was quite homeless.”
“Homeless?” Courtney stared at the dog, who, unaware he was being discussed, continued to rush in circles in avid pursuit of his tail. “Oh, Aurora, he can’t be homeless. He’s too young to survive on his own. And he’s not too spirited—Lord knows, if people were condemned for that trait, you and I would have been put away long ago.”
“True.” Aurora nodded, her expression oddly solemn. “In any case, I said he was homeless. He no longer is. In fact, I think he’s quite eager to go to his new home—and his new mistress.” With that, she squatted, capturing the pup in midspin and placing him in Courtney’s arms. “A puppy, you said. More specifically, one who needed you.” Aurora’s turquoise eyes glistened with tears. “Well, he does. And so do I. Happy birthday, Courtney.”
Courtney’s gaze widened. “He’s for me?”
“For you. From me.” A watery smile. “I don’t know if you’ll always thank me for this gift, but I know for sure the pup will.”
“Oh, Aurora.” Courtney stroked the tiny golden head, melting beneath velvet brown eyes filled with equal measures of warmth and mischief. “I don’t know what to say.”
