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“You remember him?”
A shiver. “I saw him but once, on that horrible day he exploded into Pembourne. ’Twas enough. Chilton Bencroft was not a man to forget. Especially if one was a child. He’s the sort that leaves a lasting, terrifying image in a young mind. His eyes burned with a rage that bordered on insanity. His voice could smother the sound of thunder, and the threats he hurled at Papa were heard throughout the entire first floor of the manor—by me and the servants. And, of course, Slayde, who physically threw him out.”
“What about Lawrence? Do you remember him?”
“Vaguely.” Aurora frowned. “I remember only a tall, black-haired man with a drink in his hand. Chilton was so overpowering, I hardly noticed his son. Was Lawrence capable of murder? I simply don’t know.”
“Well, Slayde believes he was—on some level then; on all levels now. Chilton is dead. If Lawrence hired Armon to kill my father, steal his ship, and blackmail Slayde into delivering the black diamond, then he did it on his own.”
“How does Slayde plan to prove this?”
“He’s investigating all Lawrence’s activities since his sudden re-emergence from Morland, as well as all his business dealings. If the duke is in possession of the black diamond or connected to Armon in any way, Slayde will uncover that information—and use it to condemn Morland to Newgate.”
“And both your father and my parents’ murders will be avenged,” Aurora concluded fervently.
“Avenged, yes. Altered, no.” Courtney traced the pattern of her napkin. “When I first regained consciousness, Slayde warned me that vengeance wouldn’t ease the pain. He was right. If Papa is dead, no amount of retribution can bring him back. That’s part of what Slayde has been grappling with all these years. He yearns for justice, yet he knows it cannot alleviate the sense of loss he’s felt since your parents’ deaths.” She swallowed. “God, how
I wish I could help him.”
“I think you are—more than Slayde knows.” Aurora studied Courtney’s face. “Perhaps more than either of you knows.” With that, she leaned forward, gesturing toward Courtney’s plate. “Eat. You need your strength—to talk to the investigator and to endure being berated by my brother when he learns you attempted the lighthouse.” Grinning, she cut another piece of mutton. “I don’t envy you.”
Both women’s soft laughter trailed into the hallway, where Miss Payne hovered, ostensibly reviewing her list of the day’s chores. Slipping the page into her pocket, she glanced about, confirming that the corridor was deserted. Reassured, she hurried off, acutely aware of the pressing responsibility that had just presented itself.
It was imperative that she report all she’d learned. Immediately.
Chapter 8
“AURORA, I WANT TO speak with you—now.”
Rising from her writing desk, Aurora picked up the missive she’d just addressed and tossed Slayde an unruffled look. “Of course you do.” She crossed over, ignoring his formidable presence in her doorway and stepping past him into the hall. “Constance?” she called to a passing maid. “Would you mind asking Siebert to have this letter delivered to Lady Stanwyk before dark?”
“Certainly, m’lady.” The girl took the note, curtsied, and went to do Aurora’s bidding.
“Planning another excursion?” Slayde inquired dryly.
Aurora’s smile was pure sunshine. “If I were, I’d have been smart enough to do so while you were in Dartmouth.” She re-entered her chambers. “Please, do come in.”
Slayde complied, shutting the door behind him. “Damnit, Aurora, what were you thinking?”
She faced her brother, arms folded across her chest, not even pretending to misunderstand the cause of his unrest. “What was I thinking? That Courtney was desperate to do something, to find some degree of resolution that would put her life in order. That had I refused to accompany her, she’d have attempted the lighthouse on her own—in which case, I wouldn’t have been there to summon help, and she might have suffered a relapse.”
“You’re trying to convince me this stroll was Courtney’s idea?”
“I’m not trying to convince you of anything. As I told Courtney, I haven’t managed to do so in twenty years, so I’ve all but given up. I’m simply speaking the truth.”
Slayde sucked in his breath. “Courtney mentioned nothing of her intentions to me—and I saw her this morning just before I left.”
“I suspect she knew what your response would be and chose secrecy over warfare.”
“I’m not amused.”
“No, I can see that.” Aurora inclined her head. “Did you hire an investigator? Is he here with you?”
“Yes. He’s in the library with Courtney,” Slayde bit out. His gaze probed Aurora with carefully measured concern. “Is she all right?”
Aurora nearly smiled at the unprecedented vulnerability in his tone. “Didn’t you see her?”
“Only in passing. I introduced her to Mr. Oridge, who wanted to spend some time chatting with her. I’ll go down and join them in a few minutes.”
