"Meaning?"
"Meaning I don't think I can abide infidelity." Aurora felt a wave of surprise at the fervor of her own declaration. "Odd, I never considered that fact before—probably because I never truly expected to marry. But now that I have, albeit under a highly unconventional set of circumstances, I find the whole idea of faithlessness unacceptable." She inclined her head, gave her husband another quizzical look. "Is that going to present a problem?"
Julian's forefinger traced her kiss-swollen mouth. "Soleil, the only problem I foresee is my insatiable craving for you. With you in my bed, I have little interest—or remaining stamina—for other women."
Aurora's turquoise eyes twinkled. "And when you're away from me?"
"I'll work on regaining my strength. You'd best do the same." His knuckles brushed her cheek. "Because when I return, you won't be leaving this bed for a week."
"Now that particular warning I like." Aurora bent, kissed the hard planes of Julian's chest. "So long as you don't travel without me too often."
"You have my word, soleil." He rolled her onto her back, his eyes burning with that now-familiar fire. "I can hardly wait to introduce you to the world."
"Among other things," Aurora replied with a tantalizing smile.
"Oh, yes. Most definitely among other things."
* * *
The sun continued to make its ascent, drizzling daylight over Cornwall and all of England. Throughout the shires people began opening their morning newspapers, astonished to read that the Huntleys and the Bencrofts had forged their families, that the Earl of Pembourne had bestowed his sister's hand in marriage upon none other than the newly ascended Duke of Morland.
In his quiet Devonshire manor, Viscount Guillford sighed, rereading the announcement for the second time then folding the paper and laying it on his end table. So Morland had married Aurora. 'Twas a noble gesture—the only gesture—he supposed. Still, he was surprised Pembourne had permitted the union, given his feelings for the Bencrofts. Ah well. Once again, life had taken an unexpected turn, one to which he'd have to resign himself. After all, he couldn't very well marry a woman who'd been discovered in another man's bed, no matter how appealing she might be.
Wearily Guillford rubbed his eyes. 'Twas time to reassess his options and redirect his future.
* * *
Miles away in a seedy Cornish pub, a stout and bristled man was reading the same wedding announcement—but experiencing a far more violent reaction.
Downing his ale, he stared at the newspaper, his black eyes boring into the words.
Once again, that bastard plans to seize what he wants, he seethed, rage pounding through his skull. Well, he'd best think again. This fortuitous union of his won't go unchallenged. He'll pay. On my brother's grave, he'll pay.
* * *
Chapter 7
« ^ »
Merlin was back.
That was Aurora's first thought—her only thought—as she sat beside her husband in Pembourne's sitting room, listening to him provide Slayde and Courtney with a direct, precise explanation of the truth behind the Fox and the Falcon. Undaunted by either Slayde's terse interruptions or Courtney's white-faced stare, Julian pressed on, offering the facts and evidence with a master's skill and an investigator's objectivity. Gone was the provocative, unhurried lover of the past few nights, in his place an intense, commanding man as single-purposed as he was imposing.
Realization dawned, blatant and sobering.
Aurora might know her husband in the biblical sense, but in every other way Julian Bencroft remained an enigma.
"This is incomprehensible," Slayde muttered when at last Julian fell silent. Reaching out, he took the fox-handled dagger from the strongbox Julian gave him, examining it briefly before turning his attention to Geoffrey's journal, skimming the pages one by one. "All these years. All that hatred."
"Senseless hatred," Julian amended. "Hatred steeped in nothing but lies. Lies that drove our families apart, and precluded us from finding the very thing we all sought—the black diamond. Well, that will all change. As of now."
S
layde's head snapped up, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is that why you married my sister? To expedite your search for the stone?"
Julian never so much as blinked. "To some extent, yes."
"Dammit." Slayde's fist slammed to the table. "I should have followed my instincts, kept you as far away from Aurora as possible. You might not be a vicious blackguard like your father, but your motives are equally selfish."