Page 63 (2/2)

"I'm not" Aurora turned on her heel and walked out

Returning a fewtray, she announced, "Cook is preparing an early breakfast and two more pots of coffee—one for you and one for the staff I pleaded your case to everyone in the kitchen Once the servants heard the sorry state you were in froht, they insisted you take the first pot of the day" She lowered the tray to a sideboard, pouring two full cups "Here" She handed a cup to each of them "This will soothe your foul tempers and make you far easier to live with"

"I doubt that," Slayde ulp "But thank you"

"You're welcome" She turned to Julian and watched him down the entire cup "Better?"

"Much Thank you, soleil" He set down the saucer, rubbed the back of his neck "We've covered almost the entire library We also searched the study and several of the salons, just in case James stored the book elsewhere It's nowhere to be found"

"Nowhere you've yet looked," Aurora corrected "Jae in a buried strongbox for nothing We just haven't stuht location yet We will Or rather, I will" She folded her arms across her breasts "Julian, neither you nor Slayde is in any condition to continue You can scarcely see, much less concentrate I, on the other hand, have had a hot bath—which you sorely need after our digging expedition—two plates of food, and several good hours of sleep I want you both to follow suit: eat the breakfast Cook is preparing, soak in the tubs I'll have sent up, and go to sleep Not for the entire day," she added hastily, seeing her husband's onco protest "Just for a few hours, until your body has recouped enough strength to push on" She touched his unshaven jaw "Julian—please"

An odd look crossed Julian's face, and he nodded slowly "Very well—but only for a short time"

Aurora flashed hirin "I pronificant," she teased, parroting his vow of last night

Julian's lips curved "That puts my mind at ease" His lips brushed her palm before he turned away "Come, Slayde We've received our orders"

Slayde hesitated, glancing restlessly toward the bookshelves

"Don't even consider it, my love" It was Courtney's voice, her tone adamant as she entered the room "If Aurora hasn't convinced you, then allow me Should you decide to push yourself further, without food or sleep, I shall be forced to rohthouse and visit with Mr Scollard, and prune the flowers in the conservatory—all of which I', albeit at a slower pace, but have foregone over the past ave hi Tyrant this ?"

"Youlook "You stay put Julian and I are on our way to the dining room"

"I'lad to hear that"

Courtney and Aurora waited until the hter

"Slayde turned sheet white when you suggested dashing about with Tyrant," Aurora co to keep you and the babe in the manor"