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A quavering nod. "I think so."
"Then you're faring better than I." Dragging air into his lungs, Julian tried to remember when he'd ever felt so disoriented, so out of control … so frustrated. "I'm half-tempted to whisk you off to Gretna Green right now and damn the formalities to hell."
"I'm half-tempted to let you," Aurora returned candidly, adjusting her bodice with unsteady fingers.
Julian watched her, wanting nothing more than to tear the gown from her body and bury himself inside her. "Aurora—marry me."
She tilted her head back, an impish grin curving her lips. "You're a very convincing man, Your Grace. Further, if what just happened wasn't an acceptance of your marriage proposal, I don't know what would be."
"What just happened was only the beginning." He framed her hot cheeks between his palms, raised her gaze to meet his. "Remember one thing, Aurora. I want that stone. But I also want you."
Her fingertips traced his lower lip. "How fortunate. Soon you'll have both."
"Is that a yes?"
"That's a yes."
"I'll get a special license." He drew her fingers into his mouth one by one, nibbling lightly. "How much time do you need?"
"How much do you intend to provide?"
"A fortnight. No more. Less if possible."
"I think a fortnight would be ideal. It would give me enough time to prepare and Courtney enough time to convince my brother he's doing the right thing by handing me over to you."
Julian chuckled. "I presume the latter will take a full two weeks."
"Maybe not. Slayde must already be amenable to the idea or he wouldn't have allowed us this time alone. But even if he doesn't require much convincing…" She broke off, a wistful look crossing her face.
"What is it?"
"Would you think I were foolish if I told you I'd always dreamed of a church wedding? Not a big church—heaven knows, the Huntleys haven't enough friends to fill even
a small one, given how isolated I've been and how terrified people are of us. But a church nonetheless, one that makes me feel like a real bride, dressed in a traditional wedding dress of silver and white, and a lace veil topped by a coronet of wildflowers." She gave a rueful sigh. "I suppose the whole notion is absurd given the scandal I caused yesterday. We should simply have the clergyman conduct a simple, expedient ceremony and have done with it. 'Tis just something I always dreamed of."
"Then consider your dream a reality." Rather than amusement Julian felt strangely touched by the details of her dream.
"You don't mind?"
"On the contrary, I can hardly wait to see what a vision my traditional bride will be."
"The bridegroom will have to be a vision as well," she reminded him.
A twinkle. "Am I to understand my betrothed finds me lacking in physical appeal?"
"I think you're aware of just how appealing you are—to your betrothed and to heaven knows how many other females. What I meant was…"
Julian pressed his forefinger to her lips. "I think I can manage to don conventional attire for one day—so long as you promise to help remove it that night."
"Julian." Aurora began to laugh. "You're incorrigible."
"Then we're evenly matched." He kissed her palm before releasing it. "We have but one thing more to discuss before Slayde reappears and we announce our betrothal."
"Which is?"
"A reminder of the promise you gave me not to discuss with anyone anything I revealed to you."
"I haven't forgotten. And I intend to keep my vow. Further, I understand why you secured it. Your father's ludicrous announcement that Slayde harbored the stone at Pembourne recaptured the interest of too many bloodthirsty thieves and privateers. If news of the Fox and the Falcon were to venture beyond our families, everyone would be doubly convinced that Lawrence spoke the truth. Criminals would descend on Pembourne like vultures, endangering Slayde, Courtney, and their unborn child. No, Julian, I would never divulge the truth to anyone. Other than Slayde and Courtney, of course."
