“It has nothing to do with our social standings. Nor with our feelings. ’Tis just that—” She stopped, not sure how much to reveal.
Matilda fastened the final button on Courtney’s gown. “Lord Pembourne is a complex man. He’s been a loner all his life. That tendency intensified over the last decade—for obvious reasons. But in my opinion, he has a tremendous capacity to love and be loved, a capacity that was buried deep inside him and that awaited only the right woman to coax it out.” She beamed, smoothing Courtney’s bodice, then lifting her chin with a gentle forefinger. “I believe that woman is standing right before me. What’s more, so does she. Now, shall we arrange your hair before the viscountess arrives?”
Sparks of anticipation danced in Courtney’s eyes. “We shall. All at once, I find myself ravenously hungry.”
“You’re looking splendid. Why, there’s color in your cheeks I haven’t seen until now.” Elinore studied Courtney over the rim of her coffee cup, nodding her approval as she spoke.
“I’m feeling much better,” Courtney replied, biting into a biscuit. “And I have you and Aurora to thank.”
“Not to mention the fact that Slayde will soon be home,” Aurora added.
Courtney shot her a look. “I’d sooner think it’s Elinore’s visits and Cook’s meals that sped my recovery.”
“Then let’s just say my brother’s arrival will complete the process.”
Elinore cleared her throat. “You’re fond of Slayde, I take it?”
“He’s been generous and heroic, from saving my life to opening the doors of his home to me,” Courtney answered carefully. “We also have a great deal in common. So, yes, I’m fond of him.”
“And he’s fond of you as well,” Aurora said cheerfully.
“How wonderful.” Elinore smoothed her strand of pearls, eyes alight with interest. “When did this happen?”
“Nothing’s happened.” Courtney wondered if the prospect troubled Elinore. After all, Slayde’s mother had been her best friend. Perhaps she wanted more for him than a sea captain’s daughter.
“Nothing’s happened yet,” Aurora qualified again. “But it will.”
“I certainly hope so,” Elinore surprised Courtney by saying. “Lord knows, it would give him a new purpose, something that should have happened long ago.”
“What do you mean?” Courtney inquired.
Elinore glanced at Aurora.
“Courtney knows all about Mama and Papa’s murders,” Aurora answered her unspoken question. “Slayde filled her in, given the fact that he believes the Bencrofts were responsible for both that crime and the one just committed against Courtney’s father.”
“I see.” Elinore’s gaze flickered to Courtney. “Then you understand the way Slayde thinks, how preoccupied he’s been since his parents’ deaths. I’ve tried, over and over, to convince him to bury the past, to get on with his life. But it’s been more than a decade, and he’s only withdrawn deeper and deeper into himself. If you can give him something else to care about, a future to look toward, you’ll have repaid his heroism and generosity threefold.”
Courtney’s misgivings abated. “Have you known Slayde since he was a young boy?”
A nod. “I was sixteen when Theomund and I wed, and I came to live at Stanwyk. Aurora wasn’t yet born and Slayde was about six. He was quiet and serious even then, spending most of his time on his studies or out sailing his skiff. Whatever he undertook over the years—be it reading and writing, or sailing and hunting—he always excelled at them. And he always did them alone.”
“Did you see him often?”
“Not really. Soon after my marriage, Slayde was off to Eton, and he returned only on holidays. Then, it was Oxford, Europe, India.” Elinore sighed. “Slayde rarely stayed at Pembourne for any length of time, especially after his parents died. It was as if the horrible memories drove him away.”
“I’m sure they did,” Courtney murmured, automatically reaching into her pocket and extracting her father’s timepiece. “Memories can sometimes be unendurable.”
“What is that?” Elinore asked, brows raised in curiosity.
“My timepiece. I customarily leave it in the drawer of my nightstand, but today”—a quick glance at Aurora—“I needed it with me. It belonged to my father. He gave it to me just before he was thrown from our ship.” Courtney snapped it open to show Elinore the scene within. “ ’Twas at that moment it stopped. It hasn’t resumed, other than once, when—” With a sharp sound, she broke off, her gaze riveted to the watch’s face.
“Courtney?” Elinore pressed. “What is it, dear?”
“The watch. It moved again. Just now. Like the last time. ’Tis as if Papa…” Abruptly, she bolted to her feet. “I must know.” Her distraught gaze shifted to Aurora. “We’ve got to leave for the lighthouse. Now. Please, Aurora. If Papa’s alive…if there’s anything I can learn…”
Aurora rose at once. “Elinore, will you excuse us?” she asked, already following Courtney toward the door. “Courtney and I must make a trip to visit Mr. Scollard. She’s well enough now. And if anyone can help her, he can.”
Elinore stared after them, looking utterly bewildered. “Why, certainly. Is there anything I can do?”