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Matilda stifled a smile. “If you’re trying to procure my silence, don’t bother. Even if I agreed to say nothing to Lord Pembourne, Cutterton would make quick work of exposing our deception. He’s doubtless poised and waiting for Lord Pembourne’s return, prepared to enlighten him the instant the earl’s phaeton passes through Pembourne’s gates. So my soft heart cannot prevent the earl’s furious tirade.”
“Nor should it.” Miss Payne swept into the room, her uniform as crisp as her tone. “I’ll take over from here, Matilda. Evidently, a firmer hand is needed to ensure that Miss Johnston makes a full and rapid recovery.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Matilda’s face. “Very well.”
“Thank you for your concern, Miss Payne,” Courtney inserted, unable to bear the embarrassment and hurt she saw in Matilda’s eyes, “but, in truth, ’twould take an army to confine me for this length of time. Matilda has done a wonderful job; after all, according to Lord Pembourne, Dr. Gilbert believed me to be so badly depleted, he expected a week or more to pass before I was strong enough to stand on my own two feet. Instead, in half that time, my wounds are nearly healed, I’m out of bed for long periods of time, and I’m impatient to end my prolonged period of confinement.” A smile. “Matilda’s skillful ministrations and Cook’s mastery in the kitchen are responsible for that miracle. Unfortunately, their abilities cannot extend to remedying my lack of common sense. So, please, don’t condemn anyone for my own foolhardy actions.”
Miss Payne seemed to thaw a bit. “Matilda knows better than to think I was reprimanding her.” A nod of approval in Matilda’s direction. “She is every bit as fine a caretaker as you’ve just described. I only meant that perhaps she needed some assistance from someone with a slightly less tender heart.”
“Only if that someone also has a fleeter foot,” Aurora put in cheerfully. “As you know, Miss Payne, I’m quite adept at escaping confinement, even when it’s a foolish thing to do. Well, evidently my new companion is equally as adept. I fear the staff at Pembourne is going to have their hands full.”
“Companion?” Miss Payne inclined her head.
“Yes. Slayde has asked Courtney to stay on.” Aurora’s lips twitched. “To help keep me in line.”
“Lord help us.” Matilda rolled her eyes.
“I see.” Miss Payne busied herself with the curtains, half closing them to limit the afternoon sunlight as it spilled into the bedchamber. “Matilda, why don’t you fetch Miss Johnston a tray? She should eat something before she naps.”
“Of course.” With a grateful smile in Courtney’s direction, Matilda hastened from the room.
“Siebert tells me you were on your way to the lighthouse,” Miss Payne remarked conversationally, checking the pitcher to ensure it had fresh water. “Why?”
“To visit Mr. Scollard; why else?” Aurora answered. “I wanted Courtney to mee
t him.”
“So badly that you risked her health?”
“As I said, that was my fault,” Courtney repeated. “I’d hoped Mr. Scollard could supply me with some insight—insight that would grant me a measure of peace. I begged Aurora to take me. She had little choice, other than tying me to the bed.”
“Well, try to remember that your body is not always able to do what you command it to.”
“I will.”
Miss Payne smoothed her uniform. “I’ll go assist Matilda. But I’ll be back,” she added pointedly, “to ensure you’re still abed.”
The moment the housekeeper’s footsteps disappeared down the hall, Aurora dissolved into laughter. “Poor Miss Payne. She takes her job so seriously. She’s worked for my family for over two decades. Papa hired her before I was born. I don’t think she’s ever adjusted to my unpredictable behavior, try as she might.”
“Then I doubt she’ll fare well with mine.” Courtney gave a faint smile, which quickly faded. “I’m sorry if my stupidity yields unpleasant consequences for you. ’Twas never my intention to get you in trouble.”
Aurora shrugged. “I’m always in trouble. I’ve learned to ignore it. And now that you’re here, I have someone to ignore it with.”
“None of this is going to make Slayde very happy,” Courtney murmured, half to herself. “He was reluctant to take me to London because of my weakened state. I think he was quite relieved when the trip became unnecessary. And this morning, he virtually ordered me to remain at Pembourne until he returned with the investigator tonight—which I led him to believe I would.”
Aurora’s eyes had widened. “You convinced Slayde to take you to London? When?”
“We were to leave this morning in the hopes of finding Armon. But Bow Street’s visit—”
“I didn’t mean when were you leaving,” Aurora interrupted. “I meant when did you convince him to take you?”
Warning bells. “Yesterday. When he returned from Morland.”
“Amazing.” Aurora shook her head. “In twenty years, I’ve never ‘convinced’ my brother to do anything.” A pause. “Other than to persuade you to stay.”
A faint blush crept up Courtney’s neck. “Aurora…”
“Please don’t apologize. I think it’s quite extraordinary. I can scarcely wait to see where it leads.”
