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“I’d like that…Elinore” Courtney s her just how tired she really was “I think I’ll take your advice and go rest But I look forward to our picnic with great anticipation”

Elinore’s s as her jewels “Wonderful Until toht, Courtney”

The silence awakened her Courtney sat up, realizing by the darkness and the quiet that it was late—very late

Swinging her legs over the side of her bed, she turned up the la when the hands of the clock announced that it was past h dinner, she’d undoubtedly slept through Slayde’s arrival and his conversation with Mr Oridge

Well, she was noide awake And she had no intention of rehtened

Donning her day dress once again, she quickly ran a brush through her tangled curls before leaving her chambers The hallas dark, ht

Where was Slayde?

Before she atte a manor she still didn’t know her way around, Courtney decided to ask

“Miss Payne?” She wasn’t surprised to find the housekeeper still up and about, standing just outside the library door, apparently colad I found you”

“Miss Johnston” The housekeeper nearly dropped her quill “You startledup at this hour? Are you ill?”

“No, I’hten you Nor will I detain you, as I can see that you’re quite busy I only wanted to knohere the earl is”

“Why, abed, I assume He returned to Pembourne before dark, and I haven’t seen him since”

“Could you tell me which chambers are his?”

This time the quill hit the floor “Pardon me?”

“Lord Pembourne’s chambers,” Courtney repeated patiently “Where are they?”