What's more, she'd agreed.
Had she agreed because it suited her nature to do so, or because she truly believed telling Julian was the right thing to do? Swiftly she reevaluated the reasons she'd originally conjured up for deferring her revelation: the compelling search for the black diamond, her own reticence, and, most significantly, Julian's.
Courtney's reasoning annihilated them all. If what her friend suggested was true, Julian might be taken aback, even unnerved by her declaration of love; but ultimately he would need that love, rely upon it as his foundation while he sought not only the missing stone, but an internal peace both he and his past had wrested away.
Groaning, Aurora swung her legs over the side of the bed and tossed back her thick mane of hair.
Hell and damnation, Courtney was right.
With that woeful admission she rose, an ironic smile curving her lips. Love obviously did change a person. For the first time, deferral had seemed infinitely more appealing than candor.
Crossing over to the wardrobe, Aurora pulled out one of the few gowns she'd left behind for those times she visited Pembourne—a welcome fact, given that the dress she'd worn yesterday was torn beyond repair. She washed and dressed hastily, her thoughts now veering in a completely new direction.
Julian had never come to bed. That could mean but one thing: that he and Slayde were still in the library, poring over James's books in the hopes of finding the one from which the hidden page had been torn.
And she wanted to be there when they found it.
Running a brush through her hair, she glanced briefly at her reflection in the looking glass, then dashed out the door, through the hallway, and down the stairs.
She burst into the library.
"What have you found…?" Breaking off, she stared about in amazement. The library shelves were three-quarters bare, the floor piled high with volume after volume of discarded texts. Amid the debris sat Slayde and Julian—Slayde slouched in an armchair, Julian sprawled on the settee. Each of them had an open book spread across his lap, and each of them looked up red eyed when she entered.
"Nothing." Julian snapped shut the book he held, raking a frustrated hand through his hair. "Not one damned thing, that's what we've found. Countless books on falcons, dozens that specifically pertained to the merlin and the kestrel—not one that was missing a page."
"You both look like death." Aurora crossed over, plucking the book from her husband's hands. "Did you get any sleep at all?"
"No." Slayde's tone was equally curt, his stare glazed and disoriented. "What time is it anyway?"
"Morning. Or hadn't you noticed the sunlight peeping through the windows?"
"I'm not in a lighthearted mood, Aurora." Her brother flung down the volume he'd been reading, rising unsteadily to his feet. "So don't try to be amusing."
"I'm not." Aurora turned on her heel and walked out.
Returning a few minutes later with a steaming tray, she announced, "Cook is preparing an early breakfast and two more pots of coffee—one for you and one for the staff. I pleaded your case to everyone in the kitchen. Once the servants heard the sorry state you were in from working all night, they insisted you take the first pot of the day." She lowered the tray to a sideboard, pouring two full cups. "Here." She handed a cup to each of them. "This will soothe your foul tempers and make you far easier to live with."
"I doubt that," Slayde muttered, taking an appreciative gulp. "But thank you."
"You're welcome." She turned to Julian and watched him down the entire cup. "Better?"
"Much. Thank you, soleil." He set down the saucer, rubbed the back of his neck. "We've covered almost the entire library. We also searched the study and several of the salons, just in case James stored the book elsewhere. It's nowhere to be found."
"Nowhere you've yet looked," Aurora corrected. "James didn't go to all the trouble of concealing that page in a buried strongbox for nothing. We just haven't stumbled on the right location yet. We will. Or rather, I will." She folded her arms across her breasts. "Julian, neither you nor Slayde is in any condition to continue. You can scarcely see, much less concentrate. I, on the other hand, have had a hot bath—which you sorely need after our digging expedition—two plates of food, and several good hours of sleep. I want you both to follow suit: eat the breakfast Cook is preparing, soak in the tubs I'll have sent up, and go to sleep. Not for the entire day," she added hastily, seeing her husband's oncoming protest. "Just for a few hours, until your body has recouped enough strength to push on." She touched his unshaven jaw. "Julian—please."
An odd look crossed Julian's face, and he nodded slowly. "Very well—but only for a short time."
Aurora flashed him an impish grin. "I promise to awaken you if I discover anything significant," she teased, parroting his vow of last night.
Julian's lips curved. "That puts my mind at ease." His lips brushed her palm before he turned away. "Come, Slayde. We've received our orders."
Slayde hesitated, glancing restlessly toward the bookshelves.
"Don't even consider it, my love." It was Courtney's voice, her tone adamant as she entered the room. "If Aurora hasn't convinced you, then allow me. Should you decide to push yourself further, without food or sleep, I shall be forced to romp about the grounds with Tyrant, stroll to the lighthouse and visit with Mr. Scollard, and prune the flowers in the conservatory—all of which I'm perfectly capable of doing, albeit at a slower pace, but have foregone over the past month due to your incessant worry." She gave him a beatific smile. "Shall I tell Siebert I'll be exercising Tyrant this morning?"
"You made your point." Slayde shot her a warning look. "You stay put. Julian and I are on our way to the dining room."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Courtney and Aurora waited until the men had stalked off before they dissolved into laughter.
"Slayde turned sheet white when you suggested dashing about with Tyrant," Aurora commended. "I think he would have agreed to anything to keep you and the babe in the manor."
"Probably." Courtney's laughter faded, a knowing glint coming into her eyes. "Did you see the expression on Julian's face when you begged him to rest?"
"He looked … off balance."
"He looked like a man in love," Courtney corrected.
A surge of hope. "Do you really think so?"
"I really think so."
Aurora's eyes sparkled. "I suddenly have energy enough to take on the rest of the library on my own."
"I suggest you let me help," Courtney proposed, smiling. "That way you can save a bit of energy for your husband. I believe you have something to tell him when he awakens."
"Yes, I believe I do."
* * *
As it turned out, Aurora's announcement was deferred yet again.
When Julian and Slayde returned to the library at noon, it was to find their tired, discouraged wives sitting amid an even denser array of discarded books.
"I don't understand it," Aurora puzzled, scooting down the ladder. "The book has to be here."
"It has to," Julian muttered. "But so far, it isn't."
"Pardon me, my lord." Siebert stood in the library doorway, gaping at the wild disorder looming before him. "The Viscount Guillford is here to see you."
"Guillford?" Aurora's head snapped around.
"Damn," Slayde muttered. "I completely forgot. Guillford and I have an appointment to discuss a business investment." He frowned. "I'll have Siebert show him directly to my study. In that way he won't see the chaotic state the library is in, nor will you need to face him."
"I agree about the library," Julian interjected. "Were Guillford to come in here, it would pose a lot of questions we'd prefer not to answer. But I disagree that Aurora should hide from him. To begin with, I'm sure he knows she and I are at Pembourne; my carriage is in your drive. Besides, it's time to put to rest the ludicrous scandal surrounding our marriage. We've already run into Guillford once, in Camden's office. We're bound to see him again, just as we'r
e bound to cross paths with Lady Altec and her gossiping friends—plus all the other prying members of the ton. 'Tis time to show them just how well suited my bride and I are. The sooner we do, the less uncomfortable it will be—not for me, since I don't give a damn what they think of me—but for Aurora." His expression softened. "My wife has waited a long time for some semblance of a coming-out. I suggest we help make her experience, however limited, a pleasant one."
"I agree," Courtney put in. "After all, we've extended our apologies to Lord Guillford. We have no need to make further amends. Moreover, 'tis not as if he and Aurora were deeply in love. His pride was wounded, yes, but his heart was hardly shattered. From what I hear, there are at least a dozen women eager to help him heal—especially if it means acquiring his name, his title, and his wealth. Honestly, Slayde, I think Julian's right. Let's stop treating this marriage as if it's anything less than what we truly wanted for Aurora."
"Your points are well taken." Slayde nodded. "Very well. Let's all greet the viscount together. It will ease the scandal—if not the shock—surrounding this marriage."
"Once we've made our appearance, Julian, Aurora, and I will continue in the library while you have your meeting with the viscount," Courtney added.
"A very brief meeting," Slayde murmured. "Very brief. I want to find that book. Siebert, show Lord Guillford to the anteroom. I'll be out to greet him in a moment."
"Very good, sir." Siebert paused, clearing his throat. "Shall I summon some footmen to reassemble the library?"
"Not yet, Siebert. Later—but not yet."
* * *
Lord Guillford rose, hands clasped behind his back, when the two Huntleys and the two Bencrofts entered the anteroom. His expression was composed, but he looked visibly surprised to see them all standing before him.
"Guillford—good day." Slayde greeted his guest politely. "Forgive the delay; my wife and I were just visiting with Aurora and Julian."
"Of course. I understand." The viscount bowed in their general direction. "Countess. Morland. Aurora. 'Tis good to see you all." A quick glance at Slayde. "If you'd rather reschedule our appointment…"
"Not for our sake," Julian inserted smoothly. "Courtney was just helping Aurora and me gather the remainder of her things. We stopped merely to say hello to you. You and Slayde are perfectly welcome to conduct your meeting as planned."
"Are you about to embark on a wedding trip?" Guillford inquired.
"Not just yet. I have a few business matters to conclude before I can leave England."
"Ah. Your father's estate."
"Among other things," Julian replied vaguely.
"It must be very difficult for you," Guillford added, glancing from Julian to Aurora. "Having to contend with so much at one time: your father's death, an unexpected marriage—and an unlikely one at that—plus these other business matters you just mentioned."
"Not at all." Julian's eyes narrowed. "I'm accustomed to handling a number of ventures at one time. As for my father's death, that was more an inconvenience than anything else. However, being summoned to attend to his estate had its compensations. Had I not been in Devonshire, I would never have had the opportunity to meet my bride. That was a fortunate day indeed. I'd lost hope of ever meeting a woman daring enough, unique enough, exciting enough, to share my life. As luck would have it, Aurora is all that and more." Julian wrapped a possessive arm about Aurora's waist. "Unlikely? Quite the opposite. If anyone is destined to end the age-old feud between our families, it's Aurora and I. We thrive on challenge. What's more, we always win."
"How delightful for you." A flush crept up Guillford's neck.
"Well, we've taken up enough of your time," Aurora piped up, torn between amusement and pity. Even armed with jealousy and resentment, the viscount was no match for Julian. "Courtney, let's collect the rest of my belongings. Then Julian and I can be on our way."
"Of course." Courtney's smile was bright. "Good day, Lord Guillford."
"Good day."
"You're brutal," Aurora hissed at Julian once they were all safely outside the door. The laughter in her eyes banked. "Thank you," she said simply.
"For what? I merely stated the truth."
"Then thank you for stating the truth. It greatly eased my discomfort."
"You have nothing to feel uncomfortable about," Courtney declared loyally, leading them back into the library. "The viscount is going to have to recover from his infatuation with you."
Aurora nodded. "I know. Still, having all your support means the world to me."
"We're family. That's what family is for." Courtney glanced about. "Time to resume our tedious project. We have only two shelves left to explore. Let's get busy."
Julian climbed up and handed books down to Aurora, who in turn passed them to Courtney to begin perusing. Within an hour they were finished, as only a quarter of the remaining books dealt with the subject of falcons.
"Now what?" Aurora demanded.
"Now we consider other possibilities," Julian replied. "James wants us to find that book. That means we're not thinking along the lines he intends us to. So let's think along another. Where else would he store a book?"
"Do you think it's hidden?"
"No. The strongbox was hidden because it was outside our estates' protective walls. If we follow our original premise—that all clues, other than the locked strongboxes, were placed in our respective homes—then the book is situated somewhere at Pembourne. In which case, James would have no reason to hide it. Only the Huntleys would have occasion to find it."
"What about the servants? Visitors?" Courtney asked. "What if someone other than a Huntley happened upon the book?"
"Like the key to the falcon cages, the book wouldn't mean anything to someone unless he had the missing page and was specifically searching for the book it had been torn from," Julian responded. "No, my instincts still tell me the answer is right in front of us."
"I think not," Aurora exclaimed abruptly.
Julian's head whipped around. "You've thought of something."
"Actually, you have. You just didn't see it through to its obvious conclusion. Consider the order of events our great-grandfathers orchestrated: Geoffrey's strongbox delivered to you at Morland by Mr. Camden. James's strongbox key, hanging alongside the falcon cages at Pembourne. Geoffrey's map, sketched and hung at Morland. And now the page and the dagger found in James's strongbox, clearly possessions that originated at Pembourne." Aurora stared at her husband, exhilaration pumping through her blood. "If we follow the one-for-one partnership method to which our great-grandfathers clearly subscribed, it would mean the next clue should either originate from or be awaiting us at Morland."
"Of course!" That wild excitement exploded across Julian's face, his topaz eyes blazing sparks of fire. "You're absolutely right. Morland, Pembourne, Morland, Pembourne—now Morland. Why the hell didn't I see it?" He slammed his fist on the side table. "Dammit—a whole day wasted. Never mind; we'll make up for it." He sprang into motion. "We'll leave for Morland at once."
"I'll have Siebert bring your carriage around," Courtney offered, wincing a bit as she rose to cross the room.
"No." Julian stayed her with his hand. "You've already overtaxed yourself far too much."
"I'm not an invalid, Julian."
One black brow arched. "No, but I will be if Slayde thinks I've pushed you too hard. Please, for my sake stay here and rest. Besides, this way you can fill Slayde in after he concludes his meeting with Guillford. Tell him where we are and what we're doing." A grin. "Also, tell him his sister is a genius." He caught Aurora's hand. "Come. We have a book to find."
* * *
Aurora's exhilaration gave way to keen awareness just after their carriage turned onto the main road.
Abruptly Julian became a different man—wary, rigid—slowing the phaeton three times to scan behind them. The fourth time he pulled off the road entirely, reining the horses and swinging down from his seat to prowl about.
"We're bei
ng followed," Aurora determined.
"Yes. This time we are." Julian strolled around in front of the phaeton, pretending to check the horses' tack, his gaze darting about the clusters of trees surrounding them. "And whoever is doing the following is not far behind." He frowned thoughtfully. "I'd investigate this on foot, but I won't leave you."
"I'll go with you." Aurora began to climb down.
"No," Julian commanded. "Stay put. If whoever's following us sees me lurking about with you alongside, he'll realize we've spotted him. I think we should continue on to Morland. Our pursuer evidently thinks we're heading someplace far more interesting, else he wouldn't be following."
"How do you know that?"