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everything you’ve done for us tonight.” Raven set off to finish her journey through Serina’s home. “Lucian?” Raven’s voice echoed through each room. “Ah—Lucian, what a stunning garden.” Raven shoved past him and slammed him into the doorframe to get out to the back garden and in passing tugged at the pink and purple garment still secured around his waist. English yellow roses climbed to the heavens with black roses interspersed. The petals of both bushes covered the ground with a silky veil.
    ’Tis a bumble bee’s paradise. You’ll never see the little buggers until it’s too late.” Raven laughed alone. Lucian shook his head at her.
    “My fair, Raven, your mirth endears me. Your humor enchants me. Your logic evades both of us.”
    “Did you know Serina’s also a chemist? Maybe she could make a pill to help your hubris, Luce.” Raven nudged her brother with her elbow.
    “If I could do that, Raven I’d be living better than the Queen herself. Not that I believe you need a pill, Lucian.” Serina gave him a coy smirk before turning to Raven with a conspiratorial wink.
    “Right, so this is how it’s to be. For once Raven has someone to side with. Go ahead ladies, have your moment.” He gave both women a wide toothy grin, before he pretended to choke his sister. “Is Duncan still with the woman across the road? We should probably retrieve him, Ray, and let this woman get some rest. We don’t want to wear out our welcome.”
    Never happen!
    Inside, he pulled up short in front of the yellow roses and plucked one from a vase, then handed it to Serina. “These roses you surround yourself with are beautiful, m’lady, yet pale in your presence.” Lucian took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth.
    Oh how he wanted her. Then. There. That second. He honestly didn’t believe he’d be able to leave her house, to leave her unless he was kicking and screaming. Then he thought he might be a tad bit melodramatic. Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, she was smart. Yes she was oh so incredibly sultry, alluring and those twinkling eyes. Jesus, the woman had enchanted him, snuck up on him and stolen his heart. And he didn’t care. God help him, it was love at first sight, of that he was certain. He’d never been in love before, and if this was love, he was in trouble. Serina didn’t stand a chance!
    “Hello, hello, Lucian, Raven?” Duncan’s voice carried over well before he approached the front door. “I’ve got you some clean trousers, Lucian, and a shirt. A gentleman living next door to Miss Baynes said you could have them. Said he’s put on some extra weight since his wife became with child, and he can no longer squeeze into them. I believe they’ve got their roles reversed.” Duncan crushed Lucian to him. “I thought I’d lost you. Luce, you can’t die on me. Promise me. I’d be lost without me best mate.”
    “Your only mate!” Lucian returned Duncan’s hug. “Not to worry, old man. You can’t get rid of me so easily. ’Twas naught more than a flesh wound,” he joked.
    Duncan shook his head and released a large pent-up sigh. He tossed the clothing to Lucian. “That flesh wound you speak of resembled something more akin a gutted rhino. Please hurry and change, Luce. I see you’ve been dressing with Raven’s clothing again? Pink kilts?” Duncan turned to Serina. “Dr. Spencer, thank you for saving me girls.”
    Lucian wasted no time swatting the back of Duncan’s head. “
    Through laughter Duncan added, “I don’t know what you did to help them, but I am grateful. You are a miracle worker.” He gave Serina a small bow at his hips. “The roses are beautiful, might I?” Duncan picked a yellow rose from the vase and ran out the door, mumbling something about Molly.
    “May I use your washroom, Serina?” Lucian held out the clean clothes in front of him with a slight shrug his shoulders.
    “Come with me, Sir. It’s up the stairs.” Serina held out her hand to Lucian. He