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Aurora's jaw dropped—as clear an admission as if she'd spoken it aloud "Are you sure the name Merlin is derived fro you don't know"

"I' her pal of falcons, how is it you know of the merlin?"

"My great-grandfather raised falcons Our library is filled with books about them I never leave Pembourne, so I have endless hours to read Why do you want to marry me?"

Her forthrightness was al as her beauty

And her revelation supplied yet another piece of an ever-growing puzzle—one Julian was determined to solve

"Why do I want to marry you?" he murmured truthfully "Many reasons This is one" He kissed the pulse at her wrist

"Stop" She jerked her hand fro dress and tilting her head back to aze "Your Grace…"

"Julian," he corrected

"Julian From what I know of you, you're a very independentthe world on one adventure or another In addition, judging froht, I doubt you're ever at a loss for willing female companionship"

"I notice you haven't yet mentioned that I'm a Bencroft"

"I was getting to that Your name—and mine—are the best reasons for us to stay as far apart as possible So why are you here asking for my hand?"

Her spirit, her candor—she was thewoman he'd ever met, Julian decided He captured a strand of her hair, rubbed its silky texture between his fingers, consciously aware of the fact that he couldn't see her "Aside froe tavern, in a private room, on a bed, and in each other's arrin "Let's explorethat extraordinary honesty of yours Can you tell me you didn't feel what I felt e kissed?"

"Can you tellbefore?"

"Yes I can tell you I've never experienced that feeling before" Even as he uttered the words, Julian knew they were true

Aurora searched his face, as if trying to assess his sincerity and his motives