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"Shall we find out? Because if we're unable to be convincing, we'd best discover that fact now—before the dowager arrives"

"I suspect you're right" No, that was she talking Aurora was still reeling over her own audacity when Merlin's mouth closed over hers

God help her, was this a kiss?

Shards of pleasure screa of their lips igniting sparks too erotic to bear, too exquisite to abandon Merlin felt it, too, for she heard his indrawn breath, felt him stiffen with reaction, shudder as the unexpected current of exciteled her face closer, kissed her again—this tied into an explosive inferno of sensation, one she'd never iined, much less experienced Flaain, and the kiss took on a life of its own, their ain

His tongue delved inside, finding and clai it in deep, heated strokes thatinside Aurora melt, slide down to her toes

She responded on instinct, i up to his shoulders, clutching the warmth of his shirt He raised her arainst hi, intiain until the very roo existed but the torrent of sensation blazing between them

Neither of them heard the co footsteps ascending the stairs Thus, when the door to their room burst open and an unexpected audience swelled on the threshold, they both started, pulling apart to stare dazedly at the intrusion

A gasp rose in Aurora's throat as Slayde strode into the rooe, a half-dozen sailors, and a sputtering Lady Altec from his path

"Aurora, what in the name of…" His words died on his lips as he spied Merlin, and Aurora would never forget the look of naked pain, of stark disbelief on her brother's face "You?" he bit out "Of all the ed Merlin froe a palpable entity Aurora could feel "You filthy bastard, not even your father would have stooped this low" His fist shot out, connecting with Merlin's jaw "Did it give you pleasure to ruin an innocent young woman? To destroy her life simply because she's a Huntley?"

On the verge of striking back, Merlin stopped dead, outrage supplanted by shock "Huntley?" His stunned gaze shifted to Aurora, raking her fro her for the first time "You're Aurora Huntley?"

An ominous knot formed in Aurora's stomach "Should I know you?"

With a harsh laugh, Slayde reached over, yanking Aurora to her feet "Didn't he introduce himself before he took you to bed? No? Then allow me Aurora, meet the man you nearly forfeited your innocence to: Julian Bencroft, the newly ascended Duke of Morland"

Chapter 2

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Six long years