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Mr Scollard’s gaze ise, but troubled “Sometimes we must fail in order to succeed”

With a thoroughly exasperated sigh, Courtney replied, “I wish I understood theof your words”

“If you did, I wouldn’t be speaking them” His sober mood lifted as quickly as it had descended “Now drink up Both of you Fortify yourselves, then hurry and take your leave The earl will be home by midafternoon You have lance at his timepiece “Goodness It’s even later than I realized You’d best take the phaeton I’ll bring it around Courtney, you drive If I recall correctly, your father taught you how during one of your stays in the Colonies”

Courtney nodded, beyond surprise “He did”

Beside her, Aurora’s cup clattered to its saucer “Phaeton? What phaeton?”

“Why mine, of course,” Mr Scollard supplied

“When did you acquire a phaeton?”

Thoughtfully, he pursed his lips “I don’t recall I only know it’s on hand when I need it”

Incredulous hurt filled Aurora’s eyes “Then all these years, all the tied to escape Pembourne’s walls, you could have helped me—and you didn’t?”

Mr Scollard went to her, placed his orn hands on her shoulders “Ah, but Rory, I did help you You just have yet to realize it” He patted her cheek “But you will Soon, I’m happy to report Very soon”

With that, he hastened off

Tenthe phaeton along the quiet country road at a healthy clip as Courtney steered them decisively toward Morland “Papa would be proud Evidently, his lessons did sink in Which is a relief, given how pathetic I am on horseback”

“You were aard, not pathetic,” Aurora protested “Remember, you spentis not exactly a priority” She pointed southwest “Morland’s estate is six miles inland If we continue on this road, we’ll reach Newton Abbot, the village on the outskirts of Morland Froht fork and follow it directly to Morland”

Courtney blinked “I intended to follow this road inland, but only because I’ve heard Papa’s crew describe Newton Abbot as being set back from the shore After that, I feared we’d have to rely upon our wits”

A grin “Soe surpasses wits This is one of those times”