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"Meaning?"

"Meaning I don't think I can abide infidelity" Aurora felt a wave of surprise at the fervor of her own declaration "Odd, I never considered that fact before—probably because I never truly expected to hly unconventional set of circumstances, I find the whole idea of faithlessness unacceptable" She inclined her head, gave her husband another quizzical look "Is that going to present a problem?"

Julian's forefinger traced her kiss-swollen mouth "Soleil, the only proble for you With you instamina—for other women"

Aurora's turquoise eyes twinkled "And when you're away from me?"

"I'll work on regaining th You'd best do the same" His knuckles brushed her cheek "Because when I return, you won't be leaving this bed for a week"

"Now that particular warning I like" Aurora bent, kissed the hard planes of Julian's chest "So long as you don't travel without me too often"

"You have my word, soleil" He rolled her onto her back, his eyes burning with that now-familiar fire "I can hardly wait to introduce you to the world"

"A smile

"Oh, yes Most definitely as"

The sun continued to ht over Cornwall and all of England Throughout the shires people began opening theirnewspapers, astonished to read that the Huntleys and the Bencrofts had forged their families, that the Earl of Pee upon none other than the newly ascended Duke of Morland

In his quiet Devonshirethe announce it on his end table So Morland had esture—he supposed Still, he was surprised Pes for the Bencrofts Ah well Once again, life had taken an unexpected turn, one to which he'd have to resign himself After all, he couldn't very well marry a woman who'd been discovered in another ht be

Wearily Guillford rubbed his eyes 'Twas time to reassess his options and redirect his future

Miles away in a seedy Cornish pub, a stout and bristleda far more violent reaction

Downing his ale, he stared at the newspaper, his black eyes boring into the words