The Black Diamond (Black Diamond 2)

"Thank you, Siebert."

Aurora exploded into the sitting room like a cannon. "We found the…"

"My God, what happened to you?" Slayde demanded, bolting to his feet and staring at his sister. "Were you in an accident?"

"What?" Confused, Aurora followed Slayde's gaze, realizing for the first time what a sorry state she was in. "Oh. I must have torn my gown."

"Torn your gown?" Slayde was still gaping. "Aurora, you're covered with dirt, your gown and mantle are shredded, and you have scratches all over your arms. What in the hell went on at Morland?"

"Your ingenious sister figured out the location of this—that's what went on," Julian supplied, flourishing the strongbox as he entered the room.

"It was at Morland Manor?" Courtney exclaimed, sitting upright on the sofa.

"In a matter of speaking." Julian proceeded to fill them in, concluding by showing them the strongbox and its contents.

"Well," Courtney murmured, shaking her head in amazement, "it appears we're going to have to pore over James's library yet again."

"I'll begin tonight," Julian qualified at once. "Slayde, you're welcome to join me. But our wives are going to bed."

Aurora's head shot up. "Not I," she protested. "Courtney needs her rest. But…"

"Aurora—" Julian held up his palm, silencing her protest, his tone as unyielding as it had been in the inn when he'd demanded she let him speak with Stone in private. "You haven't eaten since breakfast. You're pale, covered in scratches, and swaying on your feet. In short, you're exhausted. There are hundreds of books in that library. It's doubtful Slayde and I will discover anything over the next few hours. If we do, I'll awaken you. I'm accustomed to this pace. You're not. So don't argue with me. Eat something, take a hot bath, and go to sleep."

"Very well." Normally Aurora would have fought like a tigress. But if there was anything she wanted equally as much as she wanted to tear through those books, it was the chance to talk to Courtney. Further, Julian was right. She felt unusually weak and her head was pounding painfully—almost as if the effects of the day were descending upon her all at once. "I'll rest—for a while."

She retired to her old room, where she ate two helpings of supper, soaked in a hot tub, then slipped into her nightrail and wrapper and padded down the hall to Courtney's bedchamber.

Tentatively she knocked.

"Come in."

Aurora opened the door and poked her head inside. "'Tis only I."

"I know. I've been expecting you." Courtney placed her brush on her dressing table, waving Aurora into the room. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much. I guess I was hungrier than I realized."

"And dirtier." Courtney grinned. "Have a seat."

Aurora closed the door behind her, glancing about the chamber. "Are you expecting Slayde?"

"Eventually. After he spends half the night in the library poring over books with Julian. In truth, I think he welcomed the opportunity. These days my poor husband prowls about quite a bit before bedtime, coming to my chambers only when he's very, very sleepy."

A new understanding lit Aurora's eyes. "I would imagine this is a difficult time—for both of you."

"Difficult, but worth it." Courtney lay her palm on her abdomen. "Besides, it will only be a few more weeks before our babe arrives. After which I intend to heal as quickly as I can—if for no other reason than to end Slayde's nighttime strolls."

The two women laughed.

"A month ago you would have scoffed at what I just said," Courtney noted aloud.

"A month ago I was a child," Aurora replied, dropping into a chair. "A child and a fool. Courtney, I'm in a terrible predicament. I don't know what to do."

"Is this about Julian?"

"Yes, heaven help me."

Courtney's delicate brows drew together. "He's not causing you unhappiness, is he?"