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"You think that's because he couldn't do that for his brother?"

"To so, self-sufficient, a man others looked to for solutions He takes that role very seriously, even in his work He feels a treht, to restore and protect Well, one can't be omnipotent and vulnerable all at once, can one?"

"I suppose not" Courtney frowned "If what you're saying is true—and it certainlyto convince Julian to change?"

"That's where o colow "Mr Scollard provided me with the answer earlier today, only I didn't hear it—truly hear it—until now" A twinkle "That's because he didn't intend for ly concealed so I'd be forced to go through this entire thought process to fully understand things before I arrived at my solution"

Courtney nodded, having experienced Mr Scollard's brilliant guidance firsthand "What did he say? And where did it lead you?"

"He told th and to my husband And he told Julian to take care ofall I just told you, then hearing Julian declare for the dozenth ti, it struckmy ith his counsel What I derived from his words is this: if asme—which we know he is—then as his wife, I shall be hell-bent on protecting hiuilt or duty, but out of love—which, as you and I both know, is Julian's true underlying reason for wanting to shelter me, even if he is too unnerved to admit it to me or himself In any case, that's the whole point of uardto hi, not weak"

Courtney shook her head in amazement "I'm duly i, even for you However, you did omit one or two details, such as how you intend to accomplish this More importantly, what is it Julian needs protection fro only to the search for the black diamond, are you?"

Silence

"Aurora, answer me How is it you plan to protect Julian—and from what—or rather, whom?"

"I can't answer those two questions, at least not yet But Courtney, you were right, twice over, in fact Julian is falling in love with me, and my love will be there to cushion his fall when he does"

"I never doubted either of those things" Courtney's expression reerous, are you?"

"Only if it's necessary," Aurora replied honestly Her back straightened and her chin ca to protect my husband—and open his stubborn eyes in the process"

Chapter 12

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