Elation exploded inside Aurora and she laughed, flinging her arms about her husband's neck. "Yes, we did it! At last—the curse of the black diamond will be ended, along with all the hatred, the fear, the wrongful accusations." Realization sank in, sweeter than all the world's adventures combined, and the thrill of victory lulled into a more wondrous sense of peace. "Just think," she whispered, accosted by a fuller, richer kind of joy. "The past will truly be righted and finally, finally put to rest. And oh, Julian, the future will be ours."
"The future and the world," Julian concurred fervently, his own exhilaration tempered by the same deep-seated happiness reflected in Aurora's eyes. With solemn reverence, he stroked her face, a myriad emotions tightening his. "I love you, Aurora Huntley Bencroft."
"And I you," she breathed. "As of today—as of this very minute—we've truly melded the Huntley and the Bencroft names, not just legally but actually." A poignant pause. "'Tis time for the peace James spoke of—and we shall commemorate it as he and Geoffrey would have wished." She raised her chin a notch, alerting Julian to the magnitude of her declaration. "I am now officially and proudly the Duchess of Morland." Her fingertips caressed her husband's nape. "And you, my darling husband, are truly the Duke of Morland—just
as your great-grandfather before you. Chilton and Lawrence might have tainted the title, but they couldn't destroy it. Not when you're here to restore it to all its glorious, unconventional nobility."
A muscle worked in Julian's jaw.
"It's time, Julian," Aurora said with ardent conviction. "Let the anger and resentment go. Geoffrey would have wanted it that way." She never looked away. "So would Hugh."
That dissolved the last of Julian's resistance. Slowly he nodded, framing Aurora's face between his palms and making his own private peace with the past—and himself. "You're right," he acceded quietly, emotion darkening his gaze. "Very well then, the Duke and Duchess of Morland we are. Although I don't think I can ever bring myself to live in that mausoleum."
"You don't have to. I have splendid plans for your great-grandfather's estate. Plans that would make him and James very happy."
Julian looked intrigued. "Care to share those plans with me?"
"Later," she replied mysteriously. "Right now, all I want is to go home. Home—to Merlin Manor, our irreverent staff, and our soft, enticing bed." An impish smile. "Or have you forgotten my vow to best you?"
"To best me and to warm me," he reminded her, flashing that wicked grin Aurora loved so much. "The answer is no. I've forgotten neither. In fact, my beautiful wife, I think going home is an excellent idea. After all, before we ride first to Pembourne to flourish this stone before Courtney and Slayde, and then to London to turn it over to the Prince Regent, we owe it to ourselves, to truly celebrate our new titles—and seal our family union—properly."
Aurora's eyes danced. "Need I ask what 'properly' means?"
"No. You needn't."
"Do you think Geoffrey and James would object to our delaying our trip a day or two?"
"I think they would applaud it."
"In that case…" Aurora wrapped her arms about her husband's neck, tugging his mouth down to hers. "I'd love to go home—after you provide me with an initial opportunity to best you. Would that be possible, given your assurance that our great-grandfathers would so heartily approve?"
Julian's lips curved against hers. "Here? In this cave?"
"Here. In this cave." Aurora cast Julian's coat to the ground, lowering herself upon it and gazing up at him with a seductive grin. "You wouldn't need to stoop over that way if you were lying down," she pointed out.
"True." He came down beside her, propping himself on one elbow. "Have I mentioned how much I love your sense of adventure?" he murmured, tunneling his fingers through the luxuriant waves of her hair.
"Ummm, once or twice." Aurora snuggled closer, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of her life in her husband's arms. "Then you don't mind that this cave is somewhat primitive and more than a little uncomfortable?"
"Not a bit, soleil." Julian tipped back her head, bending to cover her mouth with his. "I promise to make up for the less than optimum surroundings in the very best way I know how."
"How reassuring," Aurora sighed, her lips parting to the exhilarating pressure of her husband's possession. "Since I, better than anyone, know how diligent you are about keeping your promises."
With a husky chuckle, the new Duke of Morland proceeded to fulfill his promise, besting his duchess and being bested by her in return.
And thus, the Fox and the Falcon's long sought-after peace was consummated.
* * *
Epilogue
« ^
Merlin Manor
April 1819
For the fifth time in as many minutes, Julian stalked down the steps and paced the length of the hallway to the sitting room and back. He scarcely noticed the golden brown gangly limbed dog race by, fleeing for his life as a small dark-haired tot wobbled after him on unsteady legs.