AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A nod. "It's late. Spend the night at Pembourne. You can start for Polperro at first light."
"I think that's a sound idea." Julian rose. "It's been a long, exhausting day."
"I agree." Aurora, too, came to her feet. "It feels like a year since we dashed out of here this morning."
"Which reminds me," Julian asked Slayde, "what was Guillford's reaction to our appearance? Did he say anything after we left?"
"About you and Aurora? No. Your names were glaringly absent from our conversation. He still feels insulted by what he considers to be a flagrant slap in the face; I can sense it. But there's not a damned thing I can do about it. The man is entitled to his feelings, and he's just too set in his ways to overcome them. I don't think you need worry that he'll ever cause a scene—that same adherence to the rules of proper protocol will prevent him from acting in an unseemly fashion. I suspect he'll continue to be civil whenever your paths cross, be that in business or social circumstances. But I wouldn't expect any invitations to his house parties."
"I'm crushed," Julian returned dryly.
"I'm sure. In any case, he's nearly as stiff with me as he is with you. He probably believes that since Aurora was my charge, I'm responsible for her appalling behavior. Not to mention that I placed him in an untenable position; after all, I'm the one who promised Aurora to him, eager and untouched."
"I was never eager. Even when I was untouched," Aurora muttered.
"Be that as it may, he has definitely cooled off toward me. His sole interest in coming here today was business. It seems he's found a splendid racehorse, one he's convinced will yield huge profits. Unfortunately his own funds are tied up in other investments, so he asked if I'd be willing to put up the mon
ey for purchasing and training the stallion, after which the initial profits reaped from the horse's winnings would be mine. Once I'd recouped my investment, we would split the profits fifty-fifty. The deal was sound. I agreed. Immediately thereafter, the viscount stood up, announced that Camden would handle the details of our transaction, and took his leave. The entire meeting took less than an hour. Your carriage had scarcely rounded the drive when Guillford's followed suit." Slayde inclined his head in question. "Why? Does the viscount's disapproval trouble you?"
"Not in the least," Julian returned. "Although I do think the man is being absurd about the matter. He has a flock of women to choose from—" A smug grin. "—even if they do pale in comparison to my wife. Still, I realize this is not about Guillford's severed betrothal, for he knows as well as I do that he and Aurora are about as right for each other as a fox and a hen. This is about his bloody propriety." A dismissive shrug. "Either he'll get over it or he won't. The choice is his. I have more pressing matters to contend with. Such as getting some rest so I can track down the old man Scollard spoke of and ensure my spirited wife's continued well-being."
"Of course—that's it," Aurora exclaimed.
"What's it?" Julian's head whipped around.
"Nothing … I just realized … that is, it finally dawned on me…" She broke off, clearly searching for a believable reply.
"It finally dawned on you…?" Julian prompted, biting back a smile. Whatever great revelation had just erupted in his wife's mind, she obviously had no intentions of sharing it. Lord, she was the very worst of liars. "What is it that dawned on you?"
Instantly Aurora's expression brightened and she gave an exaggerated yawn. "The fact that I'm half-asleep." A swift side-glance at her sister-in-law. "What's more, I noticed that Courtney is looking extremely peaked."
"Am I?" Courtney inquired, her eyes twinkling.
"Yes. You are." Aurora shot her friend a meaningful look. "In fact, if you gentlemen don't mind, I think we should start up for bed."
"I agree." Julian played along, taking a step toward the door.
"No!" Aurora burst out. "That is … I meant Courtney and myself. You and Slayde stay here until your business is concluded."
"Our business is already concluded, Aurora," Slayde inserted dryly. "Yours, on the other hand, is apparently just beginning. You look like a rabbit about to bolt."
"Do I? I'm just tired." Her glance fell on the falcon book clutched in Julian's hand. "I think you two should stay in the salon a few minutes longer. Slayde, you should copy down the inscription and the underscored words in James's book, so you and Courtney can contemplate their meaning while Julian and I are in Cornwall."
"Aurora…" Slayde folded his arms across his chest. "I've seen that look on your face a hundred times before. What are you up to?"
"Nothing." Pausing only to nudge Courtney's elbow, Aurora began inching her way toward the door. "I promise you, Slayde, I'm going nowhere but upstairs. You and Julian can watch me make my ascent."
"So you can shimmy down the oak just outside your bedchamber and make your escape?"
Courtney began to laugh. "I don't think that's what Aurora has in mind, darling. Not if she means to include me in her plan." Courtney lay a gentle palm on her abdomen. "That poor oak would collapse beneath my weight."
"You're beautiful," Slayde countered instantly, his gaze softening with tenderness. "And so slight it's a wonder you haven't collapsed beneath the weight of my child. No, love—the oak would fare splendidly. Aurora, on the other hand…" He glared at his sister. "She would not fare nearly as well if she made any attempt to drag you off…"
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Aurora interrupted, rolling her eyes in frustration. "I'm not planning anything. Why would I? I have nothing to escape from. If you must know, I simply want to talk to Courtney alone."
"Go right ahead, soleil." Julian gestured toward the door. "Go up and have your chat. Slayde and I will follow shortly."
Aurora eyed him uncertainly. "You believe me?"
