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"I think she'll be thrilled" With the greatest of efforts, Julian raised his head, enjoying the dazed look in his wife's eyes—and the disappointht now, before ht now, and Barnes be damned"

With that, he inhaled sharply, and having regained a modicum of composure, he opened the door "No one's about," he lanced back at Aurora "Are you ready?"

"My knees are still shaking Other than that, I'm ready"

Julian grinned "Then I see but one solution" He swept Aurora into his ar rooood," he announced cheerfully, assessing the deserted hallway before taking the steps two at a time "Perhaps we'll make it undetected, after all"

"Perhaps" Aurora was laughing so hard she could barely speak "On the other hand, perhaps the servants are purposely avoiding us"

"Don't bet on it My staff is anything but shy" Julian rounded the second floor landing, headed purposefully for his chambers

"Safe," Aurora proclaiht we'd actually succeed in getting past…" She broke off, her jaw dropping

"As you can see, we didn't" Julian deposited her on the bed, then began unbuttoning his shirt, nodding at Gin, who squatted in the center of the rooe copper tub "Is that bath for me or the duchess?" Julian inquired nonchalantly

"This one's yers" Gin rose, dragging his forearm across his forehead "I prepared Mrs Merlin's first It's waitin' in 'er cha look "It's all right if I call ye Mrs Merlin, ain't it? I 'eard ye give it to Stone as one of 'is choices, and I like the sound of it a lot better than I do Lady Aurora I also 'eard Merlin ured he uess ye already found that out Anyway, yer clothes were in no condition to go visitin', so I assumed ye'd be wantin' a bath Course, I did mean to ask, but the sittin' room door was locked when I tried it, alertin' me to the fact that the two of ye wouldn't be wantin' company So, I just went ahead and prepared the baths All I need to know is, who ye'd like to assist ye?"

Sprawled in the center of the bed, Aurora gaped, utterly speechless

"Noe're even, ain't we Mrs Merlin?" A broad grin split Gin's bearded face "Looks like we're both real good at surprises"

"Yes," she conceded, her eyes beginning to twinkle "It appears we are"

"You're a bit much, even for my wife," Julian advised his valet "Therefore, until she recovers fro, I'll answer for her" He tossed aside his shirt, sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his boots "Aurora's decided she'd like Eht, soleil?"

Aurora nodded, her shoulders beginning to shake with laughter "Yes Although I'm sure that comes as no surprise to your valet Doubtless he's already heard that bit of news"