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Aurora hesitated "Yes, but my family is not the kind to call people out—in fact, they'd do just about anything to keep our name free of public scrutiny So don't be deterred"

"A family after my own heart" Merlin's pal its silken texture "And it would take far old strands between his fingers "Your hair is exquisite Like a fla waterfall"

"I … thank you"

Shrewdly he assessed her "You have no experience at all withthem—have you?"

"Will you bolt if I say no? Because if so, I'll try to lie Although I ood at it" She awaited his reply, wishing her wits had returned along with her sobriety

"No, I won't bolt, and no, you needn't lie I suspected you were an innocent the o home as untouched as when you arrived" A hint of a pause "Well, nearly"

"Is the two hundred pounds acceptable, then?"

"Um-hum" He lowered his head, brushed his lips across each of her cheekbones "Is this what you had inposition?" he murmured

"I think so, yes" Aurora's breath suspended in her throat, and the war heat "Are you a sailor?" she whispered

"Only during those times when I'm en route to my destination"

"Which is where?"

His htly at her chin "Many places The world is vast, filled with opportunities I simply wait—then seize them"

"You've traveled?" Aurora's eyes drifted shut and she clutched the bedding as the swi in her head intensified

"For years" He framed her face between his palainst her lips "Do you think a kiss would be coh?"

"I i effect of the ale talking?