Page 112 (1/2)

Until now

Because now, Aurora was in pain—and there wasn't a bloody thing he could do to stop it

"Soon, Julian," Mr Scollard co his hthouse keeper pressed his lips together, glancing overhead as if he could see through the ceiling to the second floor "I'll give Courtney another quarter hour Then I'd best go up Shortly after that, Rory will be asking for you"

"The pain will becout

"No The pain will be rewarded with one of life's greatest blessings"

"I doubt I'll last"

"You will" Mr Scollard s and wonderful life ahead Filled with happiness, children, and—of course—adventure"

Julian groaned "Don't even say that word After this experience, I want nothing but a lifetiood about now"

"Which re while I was in Devonshire Evidently the Prince Regent intends to give a ball in honor of Geoffrey and Ja their final and most vitalAurora more than ah to travel to London I received a letter to that effect when I stopped at Peent's letter and invitation to you are on their way I probably sped past his er on the road In any case, it seems the ball will be the culmination of the Season, with hundreds in attendance to acknowledge our great-grandfathers and you and Aurora The entire ton is already buzzing with the news" Slayde assessed Julian's glazed expression, and his lips twitched "You look distinctly unimpressed by the prospect of this ball I can assure you after twenty years of living with her, that Aurora will not share your lack of enthusias part in a glittering London Season And this will give her the opportunity not only to attend the grandest of balls, but to be at its very core At lastits ar you both, in fact, as heroes As is all of England and much of the world"

"The privateers are none too happy with us," Julian a his bristled jaw "We've deprived them of one of their most coveted prizes With the black diamond safely ensconced in the tehts on a new, equally fascinating treasure" His gaze softened, shifted toward the stairs "As for me, if Aurora will only endure this ordeal, I'll take her to every bloody ball in England—hell, we can even give one of our own, invite the entire fashionable world"

"Does thateven paler than he'd been a o

"No For that, I'll send for Thayer He has little to do at Morland Manor these days, anyway—other than showing interested spectators around He and the rest of the staff will leap at the opportunity to assume more traditional roles"

"Thank 'eavens" Gin sagged with relief "It'll be bad enough 'avin' all those blue-bloods millin' around the louse without 'avin' to wait on 'e at so decision "If it'll make Mrs Merlin 'appy, I'll clean up a little and put on a unifore his mind "But I'm tellin' ye now, I'm not learnin' 'ow to bow or dance And I sure as 'ell won't share in Those blue-bloods can drink yer sherry and soot more fruit in it than spirits" With that, Gin snatched up a second bottle for hiive the partially empty one to Daniels

"I' to don a uniform? Aurora must have worked miracles"

"She has—with all of us" Julian resu, his brow furroorry "I wish Courtney would co so I'd know…" He halted, having caught sight of Mr Scollard heading for the stairs "You're going to Aurora?"