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An instant later Slayde strode through the hallway, Mr Scollard beside hi once or twice to glare over his shoulder at Daniels, andering about in disoriented circles, ibberish under his breath

"I know your butler's a bit unusual, Julian, but doesn't he believe in opening the door?" Slayde demanded

"Daniels is a bit unnerved by Aurora's disco her face to receive her husband's kiss and giving him—and Mr Scollard?

?ahi unaware that Aurora ith child on their journey home"

Slayde arched an a—brow in Julian's direction "No one realizes the moment a child is conceived—with the exception of Scollard, who knows about it beforehand Stop being so hard on yourself" Leaning over, Slayde ruffled his son's dark head, transferring him from Courtney's arms to his own "I'll watch Tyler," he murmured for his wife's ears alone "Go to Aurora; she'll want you there" In a normal tone, he added, "I needn't ask if there's any news Mr Scollard assures me there isn't"

"Well, of course there isn't," the lighthouse keeper inserted with nation "If Rory had needed me sooner, I'd have been here"

Julian paled "Does she need you now?"

"No You do"

"Very a," Julian muttered

"I wasn't trying to be a far better than you" Mr Scollard patted Julian's ar, she's healthy, and she's very, very determined She and your babe will do fine"

A flurry of footsteps sounded from overhead, and aprofusely andpast Julian to stalk into the sitting room

"Spirits—yes, good idea" Relieved to be of soestured toward the side table "Instruct Eive Mrs Merlin whatever she needs to ease the pain"

"Mrs Merlin?" Gin snatched a bottle of his na at Julian as if he'd lost his mind "This ain't for yer wife This stuff's fer me My nerves are frayed" Without preli back five or six deep ss "All this waitin'—it's drivin' me crazy" Another s, followed by a frown as he studied the rapidly dwindling supply of gin "I'd better stop guzzlin' I proood it'll do 'ih to drink it 'E's been wringin' 'is 'ands and whimperin' like a babe 'imself ever since Mrs Merlin announced the babe was on its way 'E didn't even 'ear the midhen she arrived—she was knockin' on the door for ten minutes before 'e let 'er in Not that I care That ornery of witch should've been left on the doorstep instead of…"

"Gin!" Julian thundered "You're supposed to be stationed outside Aurora's roo over my wife?"

The valet blinked "She ain't alone, Merlin Emma and that wretched midwife Mrs Peters are both there Where the 'ell 'd ye find that shrew, anyway? She practically threw me out on my ear when I poked my 'ead in to see 'ow yer duchess was doin'—said soin' 'euardin' that bloody door"