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“To London” Aurora’s face lit up “It was exhilarating Elinore took me to balls at Almack’s and Carlton House We rode in Hyde Park and shopped on Bond Street I even peeked into White’s and caught a gli”

“Are you tellingabout London, with no protection whatsoever?”

Her chin ca care of myself”

“You didn’t botherthis intended excursion to our staff,” Slayde accused harshly “Or is it a coincidence that not one of them reported it to me? Nor, for that matter, did they report Elinore’s visit or your subsequent departure”

A flicker of guilt “I hthouse It was the only way I could leave Pe questioned or acco note, I explained to Elinore that I needed to drop sohthouse prior to our departure and asked if her carriage could collect reed As for our servants, they hadn’t a clue of my plans I merely strolled off in my custo in gowns appropriate for a Season, I had no reason to carry a bag Instead, Elinore and I purchased all I needed in London She onderful And, in case you’re entertaining the possibility that she was involved inof it So don’t even consider bla her”

“Fear not—I blame you”

“Slayde, forgiveherself with the grace and refinee, she was still a striking woreen muslin dress cut to her exact specifications “I’m terribly sorry this dreadful mix-up had to occur And ’tis true: this is the first I’ve heard of Aurora’s scheo along with it if I had But with regard to her safety, truly, she was quite secure and fully chaperoned We were accoe driver, and four footmen We stayed at my London Townhouse, which is fully staffed Not toh “Other than when she darted froe for that one brief dash down St James Street to view the men’s clubs And even then, she was in my line of vision”

“I stopped only at White’s,” Aurora said in quick clarification “And I raced back to Elinore’s carriage the moment her footrand bo and squinted ame of whist”

“How reassuring,” Slayde bit out

“Safety was never an issue, Slayde,” Elinore repeated “Nor was cruelty After all—in Aurora’s defense—despite the rashness of her methods, she’d assumed you’d read her note and were apprised of her whereabouts Had either of us known otherwise, ould have rushed right home Surely you believe that”

The helpless fury raging inside Slayde banked, and he turned to the viscountess, abruptly realizing how boorishly he was behaving “Elinore, forgiveto do with you and should not be taking place in your presence Thank you for taking such excellent care of Aurora and for introducing her to the fashionable world that she was evidently determined to experience”

“I’m twenty years old, Slayde,” Aurora rehtfor me to want to—”

“We’ll discuss this later, Aurora,” Slayde broke in, jaw clenched in warning “For noant the viscountess to kno ”

“You needn’t thankti off Slayde’s thanks “Your parents were Theohter toI can do for her—for either of you—is my pleasure”

Again Slayde brought his irritation under control, re himself that Elinore wasn’t responsible for his sister’s reckless nature “In which case, I’ll merely ask how you’ve been”