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“Courtney” He clasped her to hi in his eyes “Thank God”

“Those were to behi hih soe wouldn’t disappoint me”

“Oridge—as I hear it, he’s the man I owe my life to”

“Yes He’s the investigator who sent those exceptional navigators I presue works for Lord Pembourne, who hired him to find Armon’s ship Armon is—was—that horrible pirate who captured the Isobel, in case you didn’t know his naiven you spent more time topside than I did Either way, he’s dead now He was killed by whoever paid him to steal the black diahly confused you?”

A hint of a s It’s just lucky that Lady Aurora explained most of this to me while aited for you and Lord Pembourne to return from London The rest I knew from Booth”

“Booth?”

Lexley’s sators you just aze found and recognized Slayde “M’lord,” he said huratitude When Courtney fell froed you to save her Somehow I knew you would At the time, I had no idea that I, too, would benefit from your kindness and bravery I thank you for my life But, more importantly, I thank you for Courtney’s”

“No thanks are necessary” Slayde walked over, perched on the arm of a chair “Are you well?”

“I’m weak but unharmed” A chuckle “Lady Aurora has taken excellent care of hthouse to meet this extraordinary fellow Scollard”

“We could have gone today—Mr Lexley is er than he was yesterday,” Aurora inserted “But since I wasn’t allowed to leave the mansion…”

Slayde shot her a look “Tell ed Lexley “And about the other creere abandoned with you Did they all survive?”

“Each and every one of us,” Lexley answered proudly “Oh, we didn’t eat ot pretty cold But our prayers kept us going Prayers are the one thing that bloody pirate couldn’t take from us And look hoell they worked He’s dead and we’re home”

“Where are the others now?”

“By this ti I told hi me to Pembourne Manor”

“Oridge,” Courtney murmured aloud “He esture”