“For great lengths of time?”
His dark brows rose. “As a matter of fact, yes. My businesses are extensive and take me all over the world: India, the Colonies, Europe.”
“How unfortunate.”
He blinked. “Unfortunate? Why?”
“Because it must be very difficult—and very lonely—for you.”
“Why do you assume that?”
Now it was Courtney’s turn to look perplexed. “You did mention you had a sister, did you not? Before I began babbling about my affection for brandy, that is.”
His lips twitched. “Yes, I did.”
“Then you must miss her dreadfully when you’re away. Unless, of course, you take her with you. Do you?”
“Hardly. Aurora stays at Pembourne, where she’s safe and carefully watched—except on those few occasions when she’s clever enough, and determined enough, to elude my staff.”
Courtney frowned. “I didn’t realize your sister was a child. When you spoke of my resemblance to her—well, I was under the obvious misconception that she was a woman.”
“She is.” Lord Pembourne’s eyes turned wintry gray. “But, as my family history will bear out, maturity does not preclude the need for safeguarding. The disaster you just survived is tangible proof of that. Had that pirate not intended to pass you off as Aurora, none of the past days’ horrors would have occurred.”
Courtney swallowed, her anguish resurging from its private niche.
“I’m sorry.” The earl’s apology was immediate, regret slashing his handsome face. “That was a cruel and thoughtless statement to make. Forgive me. The last thing I intended was to upset you.”
“You needn’t apologize.” Courtney blinked back tears, trying to steady her quavering voice. “It matters not whether we give voice to the words; Papa’s death haunts me every moment, awake or asleep. Again and again, I see his face, hear his scream, feel his fear. Lord Pembourne…” Her chin came up. “I have a proposition for you. If you’ll give me a few days to mend, I’ll help you find your sister. I know the waters of the Channel as well as any sailor. I can guide you to every hidden nook, every deserted island—anywhere you wish to go. Whoever has Lady Aurora, we’ll unearth him. In exchange, I ask only that once your sister is safely restored, you loan me a sailing vessel. I’ll return it—intact—the instant I’m able. I’d purchase it outright, but as you know, I have no money.”
“Loan you a vessel,” the earl repeated quietly. “So you can seek out the pirate who killed your father and run a sword through his belly.”
Courtney’s jaw dropped.
“I understand what you’re feeling.” Lord Pembourne continued, addressing her obvious astonishment. “Only too well, in fact. I’ve experienced your sense of rage firsthand. But trust me; what you’re planning won’t erase what’s happened. Nor will it ease the agony of losing your father.”
“I don’t care.” This time the tears spilled forth of their own volition. “I’m going to find that rogue, find him and kill him. And then I’m going to travel from one ocean to the next until I recover Papa’s body. He deserves a proper burial. On that grassy hill in Somerset beside Mama. Where they can be together. Oh, God…” Courtney dropped her face into her hands. “Why couldn’t I have died with him?”
The bed sagged as Lord Pembourne sat down beside her and gathered her against him with none of the hesitation that had accompanied his previous gesture of comfort. “Because you weren’t meant to die,” he murmured, gently stroking her hair, “although I know how little solace that affords you right now.”
“If I’m meant to live, it can only be to avenge Papa’s death.”
“Miss Johnston—Courtney—listen to me.” The earl spoke softly, his breath brushing the bandage spanning her brow. “You’re badly hurt. It will be a week before you’ve healed enough to stroll the grounds, much less traverse the English Channel. Also, as I just said, vengeance is not nearly as sweet as it seems.” He drew a sharp breath, and Courtney had the strange feeling it was not merely she he was trying to convince. “Now that I’ve said all that, I offer you this promise: we’ll find your father’s killer, not only for your sake, but for mine.”
Courtney leaned back, gazing up at him through watery eyes. “For your sake?”
“Yes. Whoever that murdering pirate was, he did not work alone. I’m certain of it. And whoever helped him devise his plot did it for more than just the black diamond.”
?
?You’re referring to the reasons behind your sister’s kidnapping.”
“That’s the puzzle here. There was no kidnapping.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Earlier today, mere minutes after you drifted off, Aurora strolled through Pembourne’s entranceway doors. She’s as intact as I. Evidently, boredom compelled her to take a jaunt to London in order to experience a taste of the Season.”
Courtney blinked. “I see. No, actually I don’t see.”