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“As you and I both know, there are sos we each must face on our own In uilt I was co to terms with It was the realization of my own stupidity How could I not have known? How could I have trusted, befriended a deranged woain possession of an unlimited supply of jewels, who murdered my parents, shattered my childhood—and Slayde’s?”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Courtney defended at once “Elinore is insane, Aurora She’s also very clever She fooled everyone—right down to Miss Payne, orked for her and knew the evil that existed beneath that elegant veneer Think about it Miss Payne actually believed ElinoreGri their bodies as food for the gulls And why? Because—despite all she is, all she’s done—Elinore appears to be so bloody composed, in total control of herself and the situation, a lady to the core” Courtney shook her head in amazement “Aurora, you should have seen her She never showed remorse, never flinched or looked away, not even when I slapped her Nor did she look the slightest bit perturbed when Mr Oridge announced they were going to Bow Street All she did was open her bag, ensure that all her ge her brooch, and announcing she was ready to go If you’d seen the regal way she walked off…as if Oridge were leading her to a ballroom rather than to a jail cell” Courtney drew a harsh breath “A woman like that could deceive anyone”
“I realize that now” Aurora squeezed Courtney’s hands “And I proood-bye There’s a grand and glorious future awaiting us” So saying, she shook off theat the clock on theof the future, I’ht o’clock That’s when your birthday celebration commences”
“At eight ah “Does poor Mr Scollard realize he’ll be expected to eat cake just after dawn?”
“Oh, I think so” A mysterious so fetch Matilda She wanted to select a special gown for you in honor of the occasion”
Watching Aurora dash off, Courtney s more blessed than she’d ever dreamed possible Even the past week’s painful events—Elinore’s arrest, the announcement to the staff of Miss Payne’s betrayal, and Aurora’s understandable distress—couldn’t obliterate the joy of knowing she was about to become Slayde’s wife
Although, between the euilt, Slayde’s unexpected business trip to Cornwall, and a wondrous array of wedding plans, they’d scarcely seen each other all week—other than during the darkest hours of night when Slayde would come to her, make love to her until neither of them could breathe, whisper over and over how much he loved her
For Aurora’s sake, he always left before dawn
But soon, that discretion would no longer be necessary
Because, in five short days, Courtney would be Mrs Slayde Huntley
At that joyous thought, Courtney cli that this was indeed the most wonderful of birthdays—far different than what she’d anticipated one short o when her life had seemed over, her heart empty
Pausing, she slid open her nightstand drawer, lifting out her father’s ti open the case “I only wish you could share—” She broke off, her breath expelling all at once
The watch was
As she stared, the lighthouse beaht across the waters, and the ship sailed forth, seeking its path The scene unfolded like a shi no move to slon or stop
Courtney stared, transfixed, wondering if this was heaven’s way of s her future with Slayde as the tie, to become one