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It was the tavern keeper who lunged forward, leaning over the counter and trying to grab the bills.
"Don't even think of it." Julian snatched the money out of reach, his tone menacingly low. "Not unless you have information to give me. I don't like being swindled. It enrages me."
"Don't mess with him, Briney," another sailor piped up. "I've 'eard of this Merlin. 'E's not one to take on—not unless ye wanna get 'urt bad."
The tavern keeper took a step backward, holding up conciliatory palms. "Easy, fellow," he cautioned Julian. "I don't run that kinda place. No fights, no stealin', nothin'."
"I'm glad to hear that." Julian's smile was as pleasant as if he were greeting guests at a ball. "Now, to repeat my original question, does anyone know where I can find Barnes?"
"'E was 'ere earlier," Briney replied, wiping his hands on his apron. "I expect 'e's at the Cove. 'E usually goes there next, stays till ten. Then 'e goes 'ome to bed."
"Excellent. Thank you." Julian slapped the bills on the counter.
Eyeing the money, Briney hesitated, his hungry gaze once again sweeping Aurora. "'Ow about keepin' yer money and sharin' yer woman?"
Julian went deadly still. "How about taking the money and retracting your offer—or I'll break your jaw?"
"Okay, okay." Hastily the tavern keeper snatched up the pound notes, retreating farther behind the safety of his counter. "Didn't know she meant that much to ye. No 'arm intended."
That practiced smile was back in place. "Fine." Julian glanced about. "Enjoy your evening, gentlemen." He peeled off a few more bills, dropping them on the counter. "For your trouble—a few rounds of drinks for everyone, on me." He led Aurora to the door. "Oh, and Briney?" He turned. "Tell Macall I'm ready whenever he is."
Aurora stepped outside and breathed for the first time in fifteen minutes.
"Are you all right?" Julian tipped her chin up, assessing her ashen expression.
A shaky nod. "Just a bit taken aback. That … place wasn't at all what I expected. 'Twas nothing like Dawlish's."
"Dawlish's has a cleaner bunch of regular patrons. Half these sailors are smugglers, thieves—or worse. They're an entirely different breed."
"You were wonderful—Merlin through and through, without so much as a trace of Julian present. You even managed to intimidate me. "
Julian chuckled. "Now that is indeed an accomplishment."
Aurora didn't smile. "Daydreams and reality are far removed from each other, aren't they?" she asked in troubled realization.
"Indeed they are." Julian caressed her cheek. "Very different." He paused, studying her face. "Are you up for this, soleil? I could bring you home, return tomorrow night myself."
"No." Aurora seized the edges of his coat. "I'd be more frightened if you did this alone than I am now. At least this way I can look out for you."
A corner of his mouth lifted. "I'm honored."
"You're amused. Don't be. I haven't had ample opportunity to prove it, but I'm equally as determined as you to take care of those I love."
"As I said, I'm honored."
"And dubious."
"No, soleil. Never dubious when it comes to you."
Julian's head came up as a drunken sailor staggered out of the Brine. "Let's get out of here."
"How long will it take us to get to the Cove?" Aurora inquired, following close beside him.
"It's less than a mile away, right along the bank of the Fowey River. If we stay close to the shore, we should be able to sail upriver and dock within a half hour. We could go by foot, but I'd feel better if we avoided the riffraff we'd encounter along the way. We'll have plenty of time to deal with them once we reach the tavern itself."
"I can hardly wait," Aurora retorted.
