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"Price?" Aurora questioned, lowering her tankard and wishing the roo—ould I ask for a fee?" She shook her head to clear it "Besides, I can't learn tonight Tonight I need to…"

"Sure ye can!" a stockyover to her "Yer a wos"

"What the hell would she want ot plenty She paid for our drinks, didn't she? And 'er gown cost more than this whole bloody pub" He rose as well "No, ye 'eard 'er, it's experience she's lookin' for" He glared at the others, his fingers closing about Aurora's aro up"

Realization crashed down on Aurora with the force of a blow Theseto her sexual proficiency, not her adeptness at whist They were actually arguing over as going to take her to bed

Dear Lord, what had she gotten herself into?

"Please … wait," she began, determined to clarify her intentions before Jackson escorted her up to a liaison that was never going to occur Yes, she wanted to go upstairs, but not for the purpose he had in mind

"Mr Jackson…" She struggled to speak coherently despite the fog shrouding her thoughts "You don't understand"

"Oh, I understand, all right" He continued to drag her along "And I'll et all about that clumsy man who had ye first"

"Let her go, Jackson"

The deep baritone per Jackson dead in his tracks An instant later a strong ar her away froht

"C'h women?" Jackson whined "Leave this morsel for me"

"This ' you have in mind," the baritone shot back

"She's sure as hell not ready for you"

"No, she's not But at least I have the good sense to know it" He shifted, hauling Aurora against his side and heading away from the table

"Merlin?" Aurora twisted about to assess her rescuer and ask about his unusual naht, which she followed upward to hardeyes the color of topaz, blazing through her like twin bolts of lightning