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"That's not what I meant" Julian's hand slid around to caress her nape in slow, soothing eous and difficult thing to do"

Auroraon her lashes "Yes, I did And I'd do it again in an instant if your life were at stake"

Profound eht I am a lucky man—lucky to have you, lucky to be alive…" He drew yet another shaky breath "Perhaps even afate"

"Perhaps it's ti whisper She lay her palainst Julian's jaw, her voice barely audible over the din "I need to get more compresses, anyway Mr Barnes is still here He seeuardian very seriously, not only by offering his aid, but by warning the other men to stay away from me Thus far, they've all complied So I can move about in relative safety You, on the other hand, had best lie still, else I'll have one of those sailors stand guard over you I won't have you ju your wound and worsening the bleeding"

"Aurora—" Julian seized her hand before she could leave hirateful to know my life lies in such beautiful, capable hands"

"And I'rateful than I can say" Aurora broke off, seeking the right words to convey how terrified she'd been at the thought of losing him, how fervently she'd prayed that her determination would make up for her lack of skill God, if that bullet had missed…

"It wouldn't have," Julian ood a shot"

"I never held a gun before in my life"

"Trust "

With a watery smile, Aurora leaned forward, brushed her lips to his "I love you, Julian"

Rising, shewhen she reached the counter "Mr Rawley?" she summoned the tavern keeper "Excuse me, but may I have a few more clean towels?"

Rawley shot her a disgruntled look "I already gave ye a half dozen"

"The wound orse than I thought"

"Listen, lady" The tavern keeper sla over to stare belligerently at Aurora "I've seen a lot worse in my time In case ye 'aven't noticed, this ain't exactly London's West End The only reason I even 'elped ye out this much is 'cause I took pity on ye But the Cove's a pub, not a sick ward So get yer 'usband up as quick as ye can, and get goin'"

"I intend to" Aurora tried to control her anger—and her nausea The tavern keeper's breath was nearly as foul as his teer And that ize for disrupting your routine I'd like nothing better than if Julian ell enough for us to take our leave But that can't happen until his wound stops bleeding It's slowed quite a bit Another few compresses should do it So if you'll just allow me a few more towels and just as many minutes, I'm sure we'll be able to accommodate your request"