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"Not just yet. I have a few business matters to conclude before I can leave England."
"Ah. Your father's estate."
"Among other things," Julian replied vaguely.
"It must be very difficult for you," Guillford added, glancing from Julian to Aurora. "Having to contend with so much at one time: your father's death, an unexpected marriage—and an unlikely one at that—plus these other business matters you just mentioned."
"Not at all." Julian's eyes narrowed. "I'm accustomed to handling a number of ventures at one time. As for my father's death, that was more an inconvenience than anything else. However, being summoned to attend to his estate had its compensations. Had I not been in Devonshire, I would never have had the opportunity to meet my bride. That was a fortunate day indeed. I'd lost hope of ever meeting a woman daring enough, unique enough, exciting enough, to share my life. As luck would have it, Aurora is all that and more." Julian wrapped a possessive arm about Aurora's waist. "Unlikely? Quite the opposite. If anyone is destined to end the age-old feud between our families, it's Aurora and I. We thrive on challenge. What's more, we always win."
"How delightful for you." A flush crept up Guillford's neck.
"Well, we've taken up enough of your time," Aurora piped up, torn between amusement and pity. Even armed with jealousy and resentment, the viscount was no match for Julian. "Courtney, let's collect the rest of my belongings. Then Julian and I can be on our way."
"Of course." Courtney's smile was bright. "Good day, Lord Guillford."
"Good day."
"You're brutal," Aurora hissed at Julian once they were all safely outside the door. The laughter in her eyes banked. "Thank you," she said simply.
"For what? I merely stated the truth."
"Then thank you for stating the truth. It greatly eased my discomfort."
"You have nothing to feel uncomfortable about," Courtney declared loyally, leading them back into the library. "The viscount is going to have to recover from his infatuation with you."
Aurora nodded. "I know. Still, having all your support means the world to me."
"We're family. That's what family is for." Courtney glanced about. "Time to resume our tedious project. We have only two shelves left to explore. Let's get busy."
Julian climbed up and handed books down to Aurora, who in turn passed them to Courtney to begin perusing. Within an hour they were finished, as only a quarter of the remaining books dealt with the subject of falcons.
"Now what?" Aurora demanded.
"Now we consider other possibilities," Julian replied. "James wants us to find that book. That means we're not thinking along the lines he intends us to. So let's think along another. Where else would he store a book?"
"Do you think it's hidden?"
"No. The strongbox was hidden because it was outside our estates' protective walls. If we follow our original premise—that all clues, other than the locked strongboxes, were placed in our respective homes—then the book is situated somewhere at Pembourne. In which case, James would have no reason to hide it. Only the Huntleys would have occasion to find it."
"What about the servants? Visitors?" Courtney asked. "What if someone other than a Huntley happened upon the book?"
"Like the key to the falcon cages, the book wouldn't mean anything to someone unless he had the missing page and was specifically searching for the book it had been torn from," Julian responded. "No, my instincts still tell me the answer is right in front of us."
"I think not," Aurora exclaimed abruptly.
Julian's head whipped around. "You've thought of something."
"Actually, you have. You just didn't see it through to its obvious conclusion. Consider the order of events our great-grandfathers orchestrated: Geoffrey's strongbox delivered to you at Morland by Mr. Camden. James's strongbox key, hanging alongside the falcon cages at Pembourne. Geoffrey's map, sketched and hung at Morland. And now the page and the dagger found in James's strongbox, clearly possessions that originated at Pembourne." Aurora stared at her husband, exhilaration pumping through her blood. "If we follow the one-for-one partnership method to which our great-grandfathers clearly subscribed, it would mean the next clue should either originate from or be awaiting us at Morland."
"Of course!" That wild excitement exploded across Julian's face, his topaz eyes blazing sparks of fire. "You're absolutely right. Morland, Pembourne, Morland, Pembourne—now Morland. Why the hell didn't I see it?" He slammed his fist on the side table. "Dammit—a whole day wasted. Never mind; we'll make up for it." He sprang into motion. "We'll leave for Morland at once."
"I'll have Siebert bring your carriage around," Courtney offered, wincing a bit as she rose to cross the room.
"No." Julian stayed her with his hand. "You've already overtaxed yourself far too much."
"I'm not an invalid, Julian."
One black brow arched. "No, but I will be if Slayde thinks I've pushed you too hard. Please, for my sake stay here and rest. Besides, this way you can fill Slayde in after he concludes his meeting with Guillford. Tell him where we are and what we're doing." A grin. "Also, tell him his sister is a genius." He caught Aurora's hand. "Come. We have a book to find."
