Courtney swallowed, staring at his white linen shirt front. “A service? That sounds more like a cloaked offer of charity. After all, your sister is hardly of an age where she needs a governess. No, Lord Pembourne, I cannot accept, although I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ’Tis difficult enough for me to lie here and permit your staff to wait upon me while I’m confined to bed. But the instant my body is strong enough, I’ll be on my way. I won’t take advantage of your kindness, avail myself of your home and your servants, when I can do nothing to repay you.”
“Trust me—given Aurora’s nature, ’tis I who will be in your debt, not the other way around.” Roughly, Slayde cleared his throat. “Courtney, I’m going to be frank. You and I have just determined we share a mutual goal: unearthing those involved in feigning Aurora’s kidnapping and murdering your father. Answer me this: if you were to leave Pembourne tomorrow, would it not be to hunt down that pirate?”
A small nod.
“Well, I intend to immerse myself in the task of doing, just that, starting by investigating a man I believe could lead us right to your father’s killer; namely, Lawrence Bencroft. I’ll delve as deep and as long as it takes to determine Morland’s involvement.”
“And if the duke is not involved?”
“Then I’ll find out who is. Further, my resources are far more vast than yours. So why strike out on your own when by remaining at Pembourne you can benefit from my findings?”
“While contributing what in return?” Courtney asked with quiet dignity, “I won’t accept charity.”
“I don’t think you realize just how much peace of mind you’d be affording me by keeping Aurora distracted and entertained. Translated, that means safe and accounted for, something my vast array of servants seem unable to ensure. From the reports I received upon returning from India ten days past, Aurora succeeded in sneaking out of Pembourne twice in three months, this last journey notwithstanding—a record even for my sister. And that doesn’t take into account the six or seven unsuccessful attempts she made to beg, blackmail, or trick her way past the staff.”
“Where is it she wishes to go?”
“I shudder to think. Fortunately, she’s ofttimes content with the lighthouse as a destination. She’s enthralled by Mr. Scollard, its keeper. I have no idea why, nor do I care to find out. All I know is that she dashes off to see him every chance she gets. And, eventually, one of my footmen drags her home.”
Spontaneous laughter bubbled up inside Courtney, her first real laughter in nearly a week. “My lord, if you don’t mind my saying so, you must have the most exhausted servants in all of England. And the most single-minded of sisters. I can’t imagine one woman requiring a houseful of people to oversee her.”
“Imagine it. You’ve never met Aurora.”
“Evidently not. In which case, suppose I accept your terms. Has it occurred to you that if your sister is as headstrong as you say, she might not be amenable to our arrangement?”
“She’s more than amenable; she’s elated. She told me so herself. You have no worry on that score. When I left Aurora, she was nearly pacing the halls, waiting to meet you.”
Courtney felt strangely touched by that notion. “Very well, then. Your logic is sound, though I still question the fairness of our arrangement. Nevertheless, I’ll stay at Pembourne—for the time being—and act the part of Lady Aurora’s companion. Although how in the name of heaven I can counter the allure of the outside world, I haven’t a clue. But I’ll try, my lord.”
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“Thank you.” The earl’s fingers tightened briefly on Courtney’s nape, belying his casual tone and alerting her to the significance of his next words. “By the way, with reference to given names, mine is Slayde. Not ‘my lord.’ ”
“All right—Slayde.” Reluctantly, Courtney drew back, wincing a bit at the resulting discomfort. “I assume you’d like to bring Lady Aurora in now.”
“Not until you’ve rested.” His momentary tension having dissipated, Slayde eased Courtney to the pillows.
Panic erupted inside her, screaming out that to sleep meant she would relive the dark fires of hell. “I don’t want to sleep,” she blurted.
“Then don’t. Just rest.” Astutely, Slayde studied her stricken expression. “I suggest a half-dose of laudanum, enough only to soothe the pain and make you doze. How would that be?”
“A half-dose?” Courtney breathed in a hopeful voice.
“Um-hum.” His lips twitched. “In a whole dose of brandy. Much-needed brandy, I might add, to fortify you for your meeting with Aurora.”
“Will you stay with me while I rest?” Mortified, Courtney realized she sounded like a frightened child. But, God help her, that’s just what she felt like.
“Yes, I’ll stay with you.” Slayde could have summoned Matilda or Miss Payne, but he didn’t. Instead, he stood, pouring a goblet of brandy and adding a small amount of laudanum to it. “Drink this,” he murmured, supporting her head while she did. “All of it, as I’m sure you’ll be delighted to do.”
Courtney smiled, taking four or five appreciative swallows, then resting before she downed the remaining contents of the glass.
“Well done. I’m impressed.” With a teasing glance at the empty goblet, he lowered her back to the bed.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome.” He gazed down at her from beneath hooded lids, his expression unreadable. “Now, let the medicine do its job. When the pain subsides, I’ll summon Aurora.”
Murmuring her agreement, Courtney sank into the softness of the bed. Within minutes, her body began to feel light, tingly, everything around her unfolding in slow, soothing motion. Her lashes fluttered, then fanned downward, her mind gratefully devoid of thought, her entire being blessedly absent of pain.