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A nod "It's late Spend the night at Peht"

"I think that's a sound idea" Julian rose "It's been a long, exhausting day"

"I agree" Aurora, too, came to her feet "It feels like a year since we dashed out of here this "

"Which reminds me," Julian asked Slayde, "as Guillford's reaction to our appearance? Did he say anything after we left?"

"About you and Aurora? No Your naly absent from our conversation He still feels insulted by what he considers to be a flagrant slap in the face; I can sense it But there's not a da I can do about it The s, and he's just too set in his ways to overcome them I don't think you need worry that he'll ever cause a scene—that same adherence to the rules of proper protocol will prevent hi in an unseemly fashion I suspect he'll continue to be civil whenever your paths cross, be that in business or social circumstances But I wouldn't expect any invitations to his house parties"

"I'm crushed," Julian returned dryly

"I'm sure In any case, he's nearly as stiff with me as he is with you He probably believes that since Aurora wasbehavior Not to mention that I placed him in an untenable position; after all, I'er and untouched"

"I was never eager Even when I was untouched," Aurora muttered

"Be that as it may, he has definitely cooled off towardhere today was business It seems he's found a splendid racehorse, one he's convinced will yield huge profits Unfortunately his own funds are tied up in other invest to put up the mon

ey for purchasing and training the stallion, after which the initial profits reaped fros would be mine Once I'd recouped my investment, ould split the profits fifty-fifty The deal was sound I agreed Immediately thereafter, the viscount stood up, announced that Camden would handle the details of our transaction, and took his leave The entire e had scarcely rounded the drive when Guillford's followed suit" Slayde inclined his head in question "Why? Does the viscount's disapproval trouble you?"

"Not in the least," Julian returned "Although I do think theabsurd about the rin "—even if they do pale in comparison to my wife Still, I realize this is not about Guillford's severed betrothal, for he knows as well as I do that he and Aurora are about as right for each other as a fox and a hen This is about his bloody propriety" A diset over it or he won't The choice is his I havesome rest so I can track down the old man Scollard spoke of and ensure "

"Of course—that's it," Aurora exclaimed

"What's it?" Julian's head whipped around

"Nothing … I just realized … that is, it finally dawned onfor a believable reply

"It finally dawned on you…?" Julian proreat revelation had just erupted in his wife'sit Lord, she was the very worst of liars "What is it that dawned on you?"