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"You think that's because he couldn't do that for his brother?"
"To some extent, yes. All his life, Julian has been strong, self-sufficient, a man others looked to for solutions. He takes that role very seriously, even in his work. He feels a tremendous responsibility to set things right, to restore and protect. Well, one can't be omnipotent and vulnerable all at once, can one?"
"I suppose not." Courtney frowned. "If what you're saying is true—and it certainly makes sense that it is—how are you going to convince Julian to change?"
"That's where my realization of a few minutes ago comes in." Aurora leaned forward, her entire face aglow. "Mr. Scollard provided me with the answer earlier today, only I didn't hear it—truly hear it—until now." A twinkle. "That's because he didn't intend for me to. As always, his answer was painstakingly concealed so I'd be forced to go through this entire thought process to fully understand things before I arrived at my solution."
Courtney nodded, having experienced Mr. Scollard's brilliant guidance firsthand. "What did he say? And where did it lead you?"
"He told me to hold fast to my strength and to my husband. And he told Julian to take care of me—as I would of him." Aurora's lips curved. "After reviewing all I just told you, then hearing Julian declare for the dozenth time that he meant to ensure my well-being, it struck me in a flash. Mr. Scollard was paving my way with his counsel. What I derived from his words is this: if as my husband, Julian is hell-bent on protecting me—which we know he is—then as his wife, I shall be hell-bent on protecting him, too. Not out of guilt or duty, but out of love—which, as you and I both know, is Julian's true underlying reason for wanting to shelter me, even if he is too unnerved to admit it to me or himself. In any case, that's the whole point of my plan. Not only am I going to guard my husband like a lioness, I'm going to prove something to him in the process—that loving someone can make you strong, not weak."
Courtney shook her head in amazement. "I'm duly impressed. That was an extraordinary display of reasoning, even for you. However, you did omit one or two details, such as how you intend to accomplish this. More importantly, what is it Julian needs protection from? You're not alluding only to the search for the black diamond, are you?"
Silence.
"Aurora, answer me. How is it you plan to protect Julian—and from what—or rather, whom?"
"I can't answer those two questions, at least not yet. But Courtney, you were right, twice over, in fact. Julian is falling in love with me, and my love will be there to cushion his fall when he does."
"I never doubted either of those things." Courtney's expression remained troubled. "Aurora, you're not going to do anything dangerous, are you?"
"Only if it's necessary," Aurora replied honestly. Her back straightened and her chin came up. "But no matter what it takes, I'm going to protect my husband—and open his stubborn eyes in the process."
* * *
Chapter 12
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"I noticed you never told Slayde and Courtney your suspicions that we were being followed when we left for Morland yesterday," Aurora commented as their carriage sped through the gates of Pembourne, en route to Polperro.
Julian shrugged. "There was no reason to. Nothing actually happened—'twas only an instinct. An accurate one, I'm certain, but an instinct nonetheless. Besides, your brother is already frantic in his worry over Courtney's safety. If I told him this, it would only add to that apprehension. Further, whoever was pursuing us was after me, not the Huntleys."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure." A pause. "Speaking of issues left undiscussed, what was it you were so eager to divulge to Courtney last night? You never did tell me."
Aurora shot him an impish grin. "You never asked. In fact, you said very little when you came to bed. You seemed to have other matters on your mind."
"I did." Julian tugged her closer, rubbing his chin across her satiny tresses. "The same matters that are always on my mind when it comes to you." His hands slid up to cup her breasts. "It's inconceivable what you do to me."
With a tiny shiver, Aurora shifted about to face him, reaching up to unfasten his shirt. "We have hours and hours," she reminded him seductively. "A long, tedious carriage ride with nothing to do." Leaning past her husband, she drew the carriage curtains as he had on their wedding day.
Julian caught her arm, stilled its motion. "Is this because you don't want to answer my question?"
"No." Aurora gazed directly into his eyes, thinking about her plan and the steps she'd taken to ensure it. "This is because I want you as much as you want me. As for your question, I'd be more than happy to answer it. The reason I was so eager to talk to Courtney was because I wanted her to know that I'd followed her advice and told you I love you."
Julian drew a swift breath. "I see."
"Now will you make love to me?" Aurora whispered, pushing open the sides of his shirt, searching his face as her palms swept over the hard hair-roughened planes of his chest.
With a ragged sound of need, Julian dragged her mouth to his. "Until the fire consumes us," he breathed fiercely.
The fire prevailed throughout their journey to Polperro.
So did the carriage that trailed unobtrusively behind them.
* * *
