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“Cohest of compliments Perhaps Mr Scollard did mean to imply that my ould be called upon as well” A shadow crossed Slayde’s face “Miss Payne has been with my family for decades ’Tis hard to believe she’s capable of the kind of cri”

“Theft and murder are quite different from one another, Slayde,” Courtney reminded him “All we know for sure is that Miss Payne was involved in the robbery There’s no indication that she meant for your parents to die, much less that she helped kill them”

“But they did die,” Slayde said grimly “And she didn’t exactly come forward and identify Armon as their killer, nor admit her own part in the theft that lead to their murders Worse, she’s stayed on at Pe in Newgate”

“I’ve not found Miss Payne to be particularly war,” Courtney replied “However, I don’t think she’s ruthless, either My guess is that whoever she’s working for ensured her silence—perhaps with Armon’s help They probably threatened her position, her health, even her life if she said a word, or refused to help them in future endeavors”

“Such as seizing your father’s ship in order to extort the black diamond”

A pained nod “And afterward, when I came to Pembourne, she was doubtless instructed to keep an eye onthat would implicate them It would certainly explain why she spent soiven that nurturing is hardly her way”

“It also explains why she was in your roo that would tell her howour excursion to London”

“That makes sense No one would think to question a housekeeper’s presence in so quarters—” Courtney broke off “That explains Aurora’s note!”

“Which note?”

“The one she left you when she went to London Reed behind her headboard and assumed it had dropped there on its own Well, it hadn’t It was removed, then replaced on the day Aurora returned Miss Payne must have known of Aurora’s intentions to travel to London and used it to her ee With the absence of Aurora’s written explanation, you had no reason to doubt the legitimacy of the ransom notes and the ‘fact’ that Aurora had indeed been kidnapped Thus, the ruse was successful, with Miss Payne knowing all the while that Aurora was quite safe, frolicking about London with Elinore”

“That conniving…” Slayde drew a sloard breath “Forgive me, Courtney, but I can’t be as charitable as you”

“I’m not charitable Nor do I expect you to be Because of Miss Payne’s involveone As are your parents” Courtney clasped her hands together to still their tre “But Miss Payne did not act alone Nor did she act solely with Armon, who’s already paid with his life She acted upon the orders of another And it’s that person ant to expose, that cold-hearted animal ant to see punished We can’t let our enmity cloud our reason”

Slayde’s fingers closed over hers “Are you preaching logic and level-headedness to ently

His loving quip found its ed a faint smile “It appears I am, Lord Pembourne”

“Astounding” He brought her palm to his lips “It seeether”