bastard."
"Unfortunately not. I'm a Bencroft. But that's already been too well established." Julian's goblet struck the desk with a purposeful thud. "Look, Pembourne. I'll give you a wealth of reasons why you should consider my offer. First, I happen to be the man Aurora approached—the man who eventually helped ruin her. Second, better than anyone, I know the ramifications of the black diamond's ludicrous curse. Hordes of scoundrels are hell-bent on finding the stone—using whatever means they have to. You want Aurora gone from Pembourne, safely taken care of. She would be. To begin with, she'd no longer be a Huntley. Thus, she'd no longer be a target for thieves—or worse. Further, let me assure you that no one, I repeat no one , for whom I'm responsible is ever harmed. I vow to you that as my wife Aurora will be fully protected at all times—by me. Safety will cease to be an issue. On to financial security. My father squandered his money. I did not. I'm wealthy enough to offer Aurora any luxury she might want. I can also bestow upon her the elevated title of duchess—albeit accompanied by the name Morland." Julian arched a brow. "Think about what a delightful upheaval we'd cause. After all these years, merging our families. That alone would make it worthwhile, even if it weren't for the splendid reasons I just enumerated."
"What about Aurora 's wishes?" Slayde demanded. "Where do those fit in?"
"They didn't seem to concern you when you arranged her betrothal to Guillford."
"This is different."
"Very. Aurora didn't want him. She does want me."
"You're so bloody sure?"
"Why don't we ask her?" Julian suggested with a grand sweep of his arm. "Summon her to your study. Tell her of my offer. Then give me a half hour to talk with her. Alone. After which I'll leave, give her time to consider her options." His lips twitched. "If I'm wrong, if she refuses me, then you can call me out and shoot me dead. Or at least you can try."
For a long silent moment, Slayde just stared. Then he nodded. "Very well, Morland. Let's play by your rules. I'll have Siebert summon Aurora."
* * *
Four minutes later, Aurora knocked tentatively and stepped into the study. "You wanted to see me?"
Slayde rose. "No, actually my visitor wanted to see you." He inclined his head toward the sideboard where Julian lounged, watching Aurora's entrance. "You remember the Duke of Morland?"
Twin spots of color stained her cheeks, but she met Julian's gaze without flinching. "Yes—I remember. Good afternoon, Your Grace."
Julian grinned at her formal acknowledgment. Straightening, he crossed over until he stood before her, close enough to make out all the vibrant hues of her red-gold hair. "Lady Aurora," he replied, capturing her hand, slowly raising her fingers to his lips. "How are you?"
She inclined her head, myriad emotions flashing across her face. "The same as I was when you last saw me," she managed. "One doesn't change overnight."
His lips brushed her skin. "Doesn't one?"
He could actually hear her breath catch.
"Aurora," Slayde announced without prelude, "the duke has come here to offer for you."
Turquoise eyes widened with astonishment. "Why?" she blurted.
Julian's grin widened. "I think that's obvious."
"No—it's not." Aurora tugged her hand away. "I'm not some pathetic waif that needs a home, Your Grace. Nor must I be rescued from the outcome of my reckless act. You weren't responsible for last night's … episode. I was. There's no need for you to make amends."
"Amends?" Seeing the golden sparks ignite Aurora's eyes, the proud tilt of her chin, Julian found himself wondering if this plan was going to yield even more than he himself had realized. "I assure you, making amends is the last term I would use to describe my intentions. That would imply a sense of regret, which I happen not to feel." He cut himself short, determined for this conversation to
"Unfortunately not. I'm a Bencroft. But that's already been too well established." Julian's goblet struck the desk with a purposeful thud. "Look, Pembourne. I'll give you a wealth of reasons why you should consider my offer. First, I happen to be the man Aurora approached—the man who eventually helped ruin her. Second, better than anyone, I know the ramifications of the black diamond's ludicrous curse. Hordes of scoundrels are hell-bent on finding the stone—using whatever means they have to. You want Aurora gone from Pembourne, safely taken care of. She would be. To begin with, she'd no longer be a Huntley. Thus, she'd no longer be a target for thieves—or worse. Further, let me assure you that no one, I repeat no one , for whom I'm responsible is ever harmed. I vow to you that as my wife Aurora will be fully protected at all times—by me. Safety will cease to be an issue. On to financial security. My father squandered his money. I did not. I'm wealthy enough to offer Aurora any luxury she might want. I can also bestow upon her the elevated title of duchess—albeit accompanied by the name Morland." Julian arched a brow. "Think about what a delightful upheaval we'd cause. After all these years, merging our families. That alone would make it worthwhile, even if it weren't for the splendid reasons I just enumerated."
"What about Aurora 's wishes?" Slayde demanded. "Where do those fit in?"
"They didn't seem to concern you when you arranged her betrothal to Guillford."
"This is different."
"Very. Aurora didn't want him. She does want me."
"You're so bloody sure?"
"Why don't we ask her?" Julian suggested with a grand sweep of his arm. "Summon her to your study. Tell her of my offer. Then give me a half hour to talk with her. Alone. After which I'll leave, give her time to consider her options." His lips twitched. "If I'm wrong, if she refuses me, then you can call me out and shoot me dead. Or at least you can try."
For a long silent moment, Slayde just stared. Then he nodded. "Very well, Morland. Let's play by your rules. I'll have Siebert summon Aurora."
* * *
Four minutes later, Aurora knocked tentatively and stepped into the study. "You wanted to see me?"
Slayde rose. "No, actually my visitor wanted to see you." He inclined his head toward the sideboard where Julian lounged, watching Aurora's entrance. "You remember the Duke of Morland?"
Twin spots of color stained her cheeks, but she met Julian's gaze without flinching. "Yes—I remember. Good afternoon, Your Grace."
Julian grinned at her formal acknowledgment. Straightening, he crossed over until he stood before her, close enough to make out all the vibrant hues of her red-gold hair. "Lady Aurora," he replied, capturing her hand, slowly raising her fingers to his lips. "How are you?"
She inclined her head, myriad emotions flashing across her face. "The same as I was when you last saw me," she managed. "One doesn't change overnight."
His lips brushed her skin. "Doesn't one?"
He could actually hear her breath catch.
"Aurora," Slayde announced without prelude, "the duke has come here to offer for you."
Turquoise eyes widened with astonishment. "Why?" she blurted.
Julian's grin widened. "I think that's obvious."
"No—it's not." Aurora tugged her hand away. "I'm not some pathetic waif that needs a home, Your Grace. Nor must I be rescued from the outcome of my reckless act. You weren't responsible for last night's … episode. I was. There's no need for you to make amends."
"Amends?" Seeing the golden sparks ignite Aurora's eyes, the proud tilt of her chin, Julian found himself wondering if this plan was going to yield even more than he himself had realized. "I assure you, making amends is the last term I would use to describe my intentions. That would imply a sense of regret, which I happen not to feel." He cut himself short, determined for this conversation to
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