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Afterward, they didn’t speak, just lay together quietly, watching the sun rise.
“It’s never looked so beautiful before,” Slayde murmured, Courtney curved against him, his chin atop her head.
With a smile, Courtney recalled Mr. Scollard’s words. “That’s because before, you looked but couldn’t see.”
“Hmm?”
“On my first visit to the lighthouse, Mr. Scollard declared Armon a fool for substituting me for Aurora since, in his opinion, we look nothing alike,” Courtney explained. “But he said that at night, the coloring could fool someone. ‘Especially,’ to quote his exact words, ‘someone who looks but can’t see.’ Then he added, ‘At least then, he couldn’t. He sees now.’ ” She twisted around to see Slayde’s face. “After which he nodded and told me, ‘Good for you.’ ”
Slayde blinked. “Scollard actually said all that?”
“Every word.”
“He was talking about me. About us.” Slayde grinned. “Perhaps he really is a visionary.”
Thank you, Mr. Scollard, Courtney offered silently, snuggling into Slayde’s arms.
“We haven’t finished discussing your delivery to the Times,” Slayde reminded her.
A smile. “What would
you like to know?”
“How you managed it: collecting the notes, transporting them to the newspaper.”
“A simple task for two resourceful women like Aurora and me. Aurora pilfered the notes and stationery from your desk. I conjured up the letter, explaining exactly what had happened and why you’d been forced to hunt for the diamond, then surrender it to Armon. I made you sound positively heroic—” Courtney’s grin turned impish. “Heroic, but humble. Between that and the outrage the notes will evoke, the compassion over what you’ve been forced to endure, you’ll probably be knighted.”
“I doubt it,” Slayde returned dryly. “By the way, just where did I find the gem?”
“I never specified. Pick your hiding place.”
Slayde rolled his eyes. “And who carried this parcel to London?”
“Mathers.”
“Mathers?” Slayde’s head shot up. “Who authorized him to—”
“Cutterton did. He instructed him to deliver the papers, wait for them to be copied, then bring them immediately back to Pembourne. And before you blame Cutterton,” Courtney added quickly, “I believe Mr. Scollard’s wizardry had something to do with Cutterton’s uncustomary agreeability. He consented to Aurora’s request without a single question or comment.”
“You’re right. Scollard is a wizard.” Gently, Slayde turned her toward him, framed her face between his palms. “Courtney—thank you. No one has ever…” He struggled for the right words. “What you did for me…”
Courtney pressed a silencing forefinger to his mouth. “I love you, too, Slayde,” she whispered.
A pained expression crossed his face. “So now that you’ve rendered me safe, how do I do the same for you? Or have you forgotten last night’s episode?”
“No. I haven’t.” She sighed. “I wish we knew for certain that rider was Morland. But we will, once we return home. Rayburn will tell us if the duke left his estate.”
“Unless Rayburn wasn’t at his post at the time. Remember, Morland could have followed you, Aurora, and Rayburn to Pembourne, then waited and followed us here.”
“Even if that’s so, Rayburn restationed himself outside Morland hours ago. If the duke tried to shoot me, then rushed back to Morland, Rayburn would have witnessed his arrival.” Courtney’s eyes sparkled. “If so, we’ll have more of the ammunition we seek. Further, I intend to make full use of our time aboard the Fortune, to search it from top to bottom. Armon might have left something about—a missive, anything—that mentions his employer’s name. And if that name happens to be Morland, the duke will be well and duly implicated. That knowledge should be enough to push him over the edge.”
“Courtney, if Morland is the one who just took a shot at you, he’s already over the edge,” Slayde said grimly. “We’re not pushing him any further.”
“We must. The whole purpose of this plan is to pressure him into confessing to your parents’ murders.”
“Not anymore, it’s not.” Slayde’s grip on Courtney tightened. “Didn’t you hear what I said? Without you, there’s nothing. I need you, damn it. And I intend to keep you safe. If Morland is guilty, the son of a bitch will pay. For the past, yes. More importantly, for the future he almost robbed us of—a future I never imagined having and don’t intend to forfeit.” A muscle worked in Slayde’s jaw. “So we’ll find a way to unmask him prudently, without endangering your life. Our life,” he added, his voice thick with emotion. “Sweetheart, don’t you understand? Before, there was retribution. Now there’s you.”
The magnitude of Slayde’s pronouncement sank in, bringing tears to Courtney’s eyes. “Thank you,” she breathed. “That was the most beautiful declaration of love I could ever hope for.”
