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“And how do you propose to convince them of that?”
“That’s where you come in. Tell me, do you know where in his study Slayde keeps his important papers?”
A baffled nod. “In his upper right-hand desk drawer.”
“Excellent. Then that’s where he must have placed the three ransom notes he received from Armon. I want you to sneak in and take them. Also, find a blank sheet of Slayde’s personal stationery. Take that, too.”
“What on earth for?”
“Because you and I are going to pen a letter outlining the circumstances that led up to the surrender of the black diamond. Then you’re going to prevail upon Cutterton to send one of his most trusted men to ride into London and deliver our letter and the three ransom notes.” Courtney frowned. “It must be someone thoroughly trustworthy, who will bring those notes back the instant they’ve been read and copied. As it is, we’ll have our hands full, keeping Slayde from finding out before I choose to tell him. We’ll have to steer him far away from his study for three or four days. Also, whoever Cutterton selects can’t be someone whose absence Slayde would notice; tell him to choose a guard who’s not terribly visible. Invent whatever explanation you need to. Tell Cutterton it’s a matter of life and death, if that’s what it takes. Just persuade him to cooperate. Can you?”
Aurora was still gaping. “Go to where in London? And what good will it do for us to write this letter?”
“To the London Times. And so far as the newspaper is concerned, Slayde will have written the letter. ’Twill be his signature—albeit forged—they see at the bottom, his explanation they’ll read, and his ransom notes they’ll have as proof. They’ll publish them all with great pleasure for the world to pore over and believe. And that will be the end of the perils associated with being a Huntley.” Courtney inclined her head. “Now, can you or can you not persuade Cutterton to go along with this?”
A radiant smile erupted on Aurora’s face. “Even if I have to feign an attack of the vapors. I’m on my way.” She leapt up, heading for the door. “This is more exciting than trying to escape from Pembourne.”
“And equally as rash,” Courtney called out pointedly.
Aurora turned. “Do I detect a note of censure?”
“Indeed you do. I know you’re impatient. So am I. But bursting into Slayde’s study tonight would be a mistake. Should he walk in, it would destroy all our well-laid plans.” Her eyes twinkled. “On the other hand, I know for a fact he’s leaving for Dartmouth right after breakfast tomorrow, which would eliminate the threat of discovery and make your task that much easier. I’ll distract the servants, while you get the notes and paper. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Aurora walked back reluctantly.
“There’s more,” Courtney baited.
Her lure had the desired effect. Aurora’s face brightened with curiosity. “Tell me.”
“The first part of my plan will succeed only in silencing Slayde’s worries about the threat from the world at large.”
“But it does nothing to ease his apprehension over Lawrence Bencroft,” Aurora finished for her.
“Exactly. Not only does Slayde believe the duke hired Armon to attack the Isobel, he believes the duke’s late father killed your parents. And I believe it’s time to resolve that matter once and for all.”
“How?”
“Tomorrow, while Slayde is away, I am going to pay a little call on the Duke of Morland. I’m going to confront him with evidence and perhaps elicit a reaction.”
“But you have no evidence.”
“I’ll feign otherwise. I’ll pretend to be emotionally overwrought, determined to vent my rage at the duke. I’ll tell him who I am, that I know he hired Armon to seize my father’s ship. Then I’ll blurt out how Armon gloated over his intentions to cheat his employer out of the stone. Too witless to control my tongue, I’ll let
it slip that I’ve recovered Armon’s journal, which specifies everything—and everyone—who was involved in the plot, in writing. And I’ll conclude by informing the duke that I’ve delved deeply into his past and have proof that he and his father did, indeed, murder the late Earl and Countess of Pembourne. I’ll give him an ultimatum: either he confesses to his connection to Armon, or I’ll go to Bow Street about both crimes, the latter of which was cold-blooded murder, punishable by hanging.”
Aurora listened to Courtney’s story with an awed shake of her head. “You’re amazing. I never realized you were so…so…”
“So much like you?” Courtney teased. “Remember, I was ill when you met me. I’m healed now. And I’m every bit as resourceful—and as much trouble—as you are.”
“Where do I fit into all this?” Aurora demanded. “I’m not letting you go to Morland alone.”
“I never imagined you would. Your job there will be to distract Slayde’s investigator, a needed precaution in the event Slayde told him our names. If that’s the case and the man hears my name announced, he’ll doubtless rush forward to stop me, thus ruining everything. I need enough time to get into the manor and confront the duke. I don’t care if I’m spied on my way out—Slayde is going to hear about this visit soon enough—from the duke himself, if he reacts according to plan. But I want the chance to do what I came to do before I’m dragged off.”
“Courtney.” Aurora paled. “What if Lawrence Bencroft really did kill my parents? What if he’s dangerous? You could get hurt.”
“Slayde believes Chilton was the truly dangerous Bencroft, and he’s dead. Besides, Lawrence wouldn’t assault me in front of his entire staff.” Courtney chewed her lip thoughtfully. “You and I will set a time limit. If I’m not out in, say, a half hour, alert Slayde’s investigator and rush to my rescue. How would that be?”
“Fine.” Aurora looked equally thoughtful. “Do you realize we could avenge your father, unearth Mama and Papa’s murderers, and give Slayde a real life all at once?”
