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"Is the tavern maid here as well?"

"She's E room The one who stared at you with those worshipful eyes"

Aurora blanched recalling the slight, fair-hairedthe side table, her blue eyes widening with awe as she'd dropped curtsy after aard curtsy "Julian, she can't be more than sixteen years old"

"Fifteen," he corrected "Thirteen when the incident I just described took place" He caressed Aurora's cheek "Don't look so horrified She's fine and thoroughly intact, thanks to Gin's interference Now I have two outstanding servants and they each have a home" Julian's thumb traced Aurora's lips, then stroked the distressed pucker between her brows "Think how dreadful it was forto make her smile "I not only had to make up my own bed, I had to tie my own cravats"

"You never wear cravats anyway," Aurora replied absently, her thoughts racing ahead, then co halt "Julian—your servants, all the men and women ork here, they're all like Gin and Emma, aren't they? All victims you rescued from dire circumstances?"

"Don't make it sound like I'reeable situations, offered them jobs and a place to live But es" A corner of Julian's ht not believe this, but I' as hell to work for, whether I'm here or abroad My staff's duties are extensive and varied, including the ability to handle all types of unsavory guests whomy absence"

"That doesn't lessen the ed in Aurora's chest "You, Julian Bencroft, are a wonderful ht live by your own rules, but those rules are far more exemplary than all the ton's combined Your nobility transcends ain her eyes "This only proves that your father, besides being a scoundrel and a liar, was a stupid, bloody fool I'd like to thrash hi you"

Tenderness softened Julian's features and he drew her to hi as hell when you're angry"

Aurora found herself sry, when I'er, when I'm…"

"All the time, then" He silenced her with his mouth

"'Ey, Merlin … that's gonna 'ave to wait" Gin strode in, looking not the least bit perturbed by the heated embrace he'd interrupted

Neither was Julian, who made no move to release his wife "Good-bye, Gin By the way, it's time you learned to knock"

"Next tiht now, Stone's 'ere to see ye"

This time, Julian did lift his head "Stone? Now?"

A nod "'E says 'e's got news"