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“I’d like that…Elinore.” Courtney smiled, coming to her feet, a wave of weakness reminding her just how tired she really was. “I think I’ll take your advice and go rest. But I look forward to our picnic with great anticipation.”
Elinore’s smile was as dazzling as her jewels. “Wonderful. Until tomorrow, then. Good night, Courtney.”
The silence awakened her. Courtney sat up, realizing by the darkness and the quiet that it was late—very late.
Swinging her legs over the side of her bed, she turned up the lamp, frowning when the hands of the clock announced that it was past midnight. Not only had she slept through dinner, she’d undoubtedly slept through Slayde’s arrival and his conversation with Mr. Oridge.
Well, she was now wide awake. And she had no intention of remaining unenlightened.
Donning her day dress once again, she quickly ran a brush through her tangled curls before leaving her chambers. The hallway was dark, most of the servants obviously having retired for the night.
Where was Slayde?
Before she attempted ransacking a manor she still didn’t know her way around, Courtney decided to ask.
“Miss Payne?” She wasn’t surprised to find the housekeeper still up and about, standing just outside the library door, apparently compiling a list of the next day’s chores. “I’m glad I found you.”
“Miss Johnston.” The housekeeper nearly dropped her quill. “You startled me. What are you doing up at this hour? Are you ill?”
“No, I’m fine. I apologize; I didn’t mean to frighten you. Nor will I detain you, as I can see that you’re quite busy. I only wanted to know where the earl is.”
“Why, abed, I assume. He returned to Pembourne before dark, and I haven’t seen him since.”
“Could you tell me which chambers are his?”
This time the quill hit the floor. “Pardon me?”
“Lord Pembourne’s chambers,” Courtney repeated patiently. “Where are they?”
“Why, I…” Miss Payne cleared her throat several times. “The ones at the far corner of the east wing.”
“That’s the wing my chambers are in, is it not?”
A nod.
“Good. Then I’ll find him myself and not trouble you further. And as it is imperative that I speak with him immediately, I’ll be on my way. Thank you, Miss Payne. Good night.”
“Good night,” the housekeeper managed.
So much for the reputation Matilda is so desperate to protect, Courtney thought with an inner smile. By tomorrow, I’ll be labeled a fallen woman.
Ah, well, there was no one she’d rather fall with than Slayde.
Her smile vanished as she neared his door. The purpose of her visit tonight had little to do with their blossoming feelings for each other.
She knocked.
“Yes?” Slayde’s response was muffled, but too quick on the heels of her knock for him to have been asleep.
“May I come in?” Courtney stepped into the semidark room, uncertain what his reaction would be to her presence. With a surge of relief, she noted that he was both up and dressed, standing by the open window, brow furrowed in thought.
“Courtney.” He looked more surprised than anything else. “Of course.” He walked over, lines of fatigue etched on his face, his gray eyes dark with concern. “Is something wrong?”
Abruptly, something was.
Courtney’s throat tightened as her body became achingly aware of Slayde’s proximity. There was something extraordinarily intimate about being in his chambers, even though they were both fully clothed and her purpose was virtuous. She leaned back against the closed door, gazing up into his hard, handsome face, trying to still her body’s trembling, to remind herself why she’d come. “No. ’Tis just that after Mr. Oridge and I spoke…he suggested…I wondered—” She broke off, not even remotely aware what she was saying.
Later, she wondered who reached for whom. Now, it didn’t matter.
