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It was Matilda’s turn to look amazed “To chaperon you, of course You can’t very well journey alone with the earl You’re a single young lady with a reputation to consider”

“A reputation?” Courtney’s shoulders began to shake with laughter “Oh, Matilda, I have no reputation, nor do I care a whit about one The sole year I spent as a proper young lady was at a boarding school that would rather endure a plague than readmit me The reer of being co with Lord Pembourne”

“Still, I’ll…”

Strained h the open

“That can’t be Lady Stanwyk,” Courtneyout “Oh, God” All the color drained froentleman in uniform The uniform looks like one of those worn by Bow Street”

Ignoring her physical discoathered up her newly donned skirts anddownstairs,” she announced in a tone that precluded argument

“I’ll assist you” Matilda scurried to her side

By the time they reached the foot of the stairs, Slayde and his visitor had entered the rientle from one foot to the other

and hanging near the entrance like a scared rabbit longing to bolt Courtney paused, not merely to study the men, but to clutch the banister in an atte limbs

“Are you all right, Miss Courtney?” Matilda asked with a worried frown

“Fine, Matilda I’th”

Hearing their voices, Slayde glanced up, his dark scowl growing darker “Courtney”

She braced herself for what she assu herself

It never came

Without another word, Slayde walked rigidly toward the a curt dismissal at Matilda “I’ll take over from here”