Aurora sucked in her breath. “Dead…where did this happen?”
“In Dartmouth. Some local urchins discovered his body in a deserted alley.”
“Dartmouth is right here in Devonshire, not thirty miles from Pembourne.” Aurora frowned. “Even so, I don’t understand. If he is dead, what prompted Bow Street’s visit to Pembourne? They certainly didn’t come to elicit Slayde’s help. They’d rather consort with the devil than seek out the Huntleys.”
“So I observed. The reason they came to Pembourne, albeit reluctantly, is because they found a note in the scoundrel’s pocket. It was addressed to your brother.” Slowly, leaving nothing out, Courtney relayed all the details they had thus far.
“My God,” Aurora murmured when Courtney was through, “this becomes more complicated by the minute.” Compassion softened her features. “No wonder you slept so long. You must be spent. What can I do to help?” Abruptly, she glanced toward the closed bedchamber door. “And where is Slayde?”
“He’s gone to Dartmouth to try to unearth this Armon’s contact. He’s also hiring an investigator to go after Armon’s ship.”
“To go after Armon’s ship—without us?” Aurora’s reaction was so much what Slayde had depicted that Courtney nearly grinned. “You’re the one who saw this Armon’s men firsthand and can identify them. Not to mention—”
“Wait.” Courtney held up a restraining palm. “Before you plunge into the same tirade I myself did not four hours past, let me put your mind at ease. Slayde has promised to bring this investigator to Pembourne so that I might speak with him—prior to the onset of his search.”
“Here?” Aurora sat straight up. “When?”
“Tonight.”
“Excellent. The only thing better would be if you were well enough for us to accompany him on his explorations.”
“Us?”
A grin. “Certainly, us. That’s what being my companion is all about. We must become inseparable.”
“Especially when it means delving into an enticing mystery,” Courtney put in dryly.
“Especially then,” Aurora agreed without the slightest attempt at pretense. “Nevertheless, since you’re not up for traveling, ’tis our responsibility to use today to our full advantage. We must amass all your knowledge and devise all our questions prior to this investigator’s arrival, so that we can make full use of his visit and he can swiftly unearth Armon’s accomplice.”
“I agree,” Courtney replied, reminded of the promise she’d made to Slayde: to probe the matter with Aurora and determine what light she could shed on the possible identity of Armon’s accomplice. “Aurora, you just asked if you could help. There’s one thing you can do, something that might make all the difference in the world. Think—who did you tell of your intentions to travel to London last week? Who might have known you’d be leaving Pembourne?”
Aurora pondered Courtney’s question. She propped her chin on her hand, clearly racking her brain for answers. “I see the direction in which you’re heading. You’re wondering if someone used my departure from Pembourne to feign a kidnapping in order to extort the black diamond from Slayde. The idea is sound. The problem, however, is I told no one of my plans. No one, obviously, other than Elinore, who was my intended chaperon, and Mr. Scollard, who is my sole confidant and would never repeat a word I divulged.”
“I assume that trustworthiness applies to the viscountess, as well, that she would have kept your secret.”
“Yes and no,” Aurora replied frankly. “And the ‘no’ part is why I didn’t tell her it was a secret.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“Had Elinore known my trip to London was confidential, she would indeed have kept it from the world. But, had she known it was unsanctioned by Slayde, she would have canceled the entire trip, which is why I didn’t dare tell her the truth. She believed I had Slayde’s blessing, that he knew everything other than the dates of my journey—and those I specified in the note I left him. So, in answer to your question, yes, Elinore is entirely trustworthy—when her silence is solicited. In this case, it was not.”
“I see.” Courtney chewed her lip. “How long had you two been planning this trip?”
“Nearly a fortnight.”
“So ’tis possible she mentioned it to others.”
“Entirely possible. Slayde was away until just before I left, so I really didn’t worry over who knew of my plans. So long as Slayde didn’t know…” Aurora shrugged. “In truth, he’s my sole obstacle.” A thoughtful pause. “What I can do is summon Elinore to Pembourne. She’ll gladly recount who she might have spoken with about my impending arrival in London.”
“That’s a good idea.” Courtney nodded. “Perhaps she can come by tomorrow, if she’s not otherwise engaged.”
“I’ll send her a missive at once.” Aurora shifted restlessly. “I wish we could sail with that investigator. Unfortunately, you’re not yet well enough.”
“True. But perhaps I am well enough for a stroll.”
Aurora’s eyes narrowed. “Meaning?”
“Meaning I want to attempt the lighthouse today.” Courtney leaned forward intently. “Aurora, I must determine whether Papa is alive. And if Mr. Scollard is as perceptive as you say…”