Secrets of Seduction (Legendary Lovers 3)

To her dismay, Lady Farnwell had responded to none of her messages, even though the courier was instructed each time to await a reply. Yet whenever Skye grew overly earnest, Hawk found some way to lighten her mood, usually by teasing her much as she’d done to him, or ribbing her about acting cowardly and giving up. His riling was reminiscent of her own family, where she had to hold her own with her provocative brother and cousins.

Their sparring generated some lively conversations, and Skye looked forward even more to their solitary evenings together playing chess or cards, where there were no grooms or stable masters or inn servants to interfere with her pursuit of Hawk. Otherwise, he was the same enigmatic, elusive “beast” she had known from the beginning of their relationship. He refused to answer a single question about his work with the Guardians and wouldn’t reveal an inkling about his life on the Isle of Cyrene, about which she was highly curious.

Once, Skye was exasperated enough to issue a warning: “You had best take care, my lord. I will ply you with brandy, then tie you up and force you to reveal your secrets.”

He laughed outright at her threat. “I should like to see you try.”

She liked his laughter, but there were still too few incidences of his lightheartedness to her mind.

The second afternoon, she was preparing to visit yet another stud farm with Hawk when “Mrs. Donnelly” was announced. Hope mingling with apprehension, Skye invited Lady Farnwell to join them in their private parlor. After ordering tea from the inn footman, she held her breath while awaiting the baroness’s decision.

Yet Rachel did not immediately state her intentions. “I have carefully considered your rationale in favor of my returning to England.”

“And?” Skye prompted.

“I don’t believe it would be wise.”

Skye wanted to retort that sometimes love was not wise but worth the risk. Although Rachel had escaped her abusive husband, she still badly needed healing; love—from both Daphne and Cornelius—could help her to heal.

Another argument Skye had championed in her missives was that life was too short to let the rare chance for happiness pass by. But rather than repeat her logic, she schooled herself to patience, hoping that in this case, heart would win out over mind. Rachel had not refused outright, which meant she was still debating.

She seemed most interested in how Lord Hawkhurst’s plan might work. “You said my past could be kept secret, my lord. Is that even possible?”

“It’s quite possible,” Hawk answered easily. “As I said, you can maintain your current identity as Mrs. Meg Donnelly. If you refrain from public appearances—specifically if you keep away from Edgar Farnwell’s district and don’t show your face in London—you should be safe from discovery. For the time being, you will be a guest at my country estate in East Sussex and need never be seen by anyone who formerly knew you. And we can concoct a reasonable story to explain any resemblance to the late Lady Farnwell.”

Still Rachel hesitated. “Can you imagine Baron Farnwell’s fury if he learns of my deception? The kind of retribution he might seek?”

Skye interjected. “Lord Hawkhurst is more than able to deal with Edgar Farnwell, if it comes to that. He will protect you—and Daphne as well, I have no doubt whatsoever.”

From the faint way his mouth curved, Hawk seemed amused that Skye was putting so much faith in his abilities, given that her knowledge of his role in his league of Guardians was strictly hearsay. But his tone was quite serious when he replied. “I have engaged a colleague to investigate Farnwell, and tasked the Bow Street Runners with keeping a close eye on him, but a disguise might better ensure your anonymity.”

Skye studied Rachel objectively. The baroness had

aged well enough that she still resembled the miniature. “What did you have in mind?”

“Perhaps she could cut her hair or dye it. Henna can notably transform appearance.”

Rachel bit her lip in indecision. “You said we might not tell Daphne of her parentage at first?”

Skye was able to address that concern. “I believe we first need to sound your daughter out about her feelings toward you and avoid shocking her with the stark truth just yet. My cousin Lady Katharine Wilde lives in London and would be ideal for approaching Daphne. We can trust Kate to make any revelations at the appropriate time.”

“What about … Lord Cornelius?” Rachel asked in a small voice.

“We need to prepare him also,” Skye said, “but I should like to handle that disclosure myself, since I am best acquainted with the particulars. I think it best to invite him to stay at Hawkhurst Castle for a time. My aunt, Lady Isabella Wilde, is residing there to aide Hawkhurst in renovating his home. And I will be there as well. So it should not prove too awkward or pose an impropriety if my uncle were to join us. If you were eventually to rekindle your romance, you could pretend to have met there for the first time and fallen in love.”

Rachel looked torn. “I don’t want the world to know we were once lovers. I want nothing to hurt Daphne.”

“I understand completely,” Skye said with empathy. “We will take small steps and see how it unfolds. But the choice is yours to make.”

The baroness closed her eyes and took a slow breath. “Very well.… I will accompany you to England.”

Skye refrained from cheering, not wanting to add to Rachel’s misgivings, but inwardly her elation soared at having overcome another important hurdle.

The next hour was spent planning their return journey and discussing details of their subterfuge. Even though Skye would likely continue thinking of her as Rachel or Lady Farnwell, they agreed it was best to address her as Mrs. Donnelly or Meg. By the next morning, Rachel had said a tearful farewell to the O’Briens, and they were on the road south to Wexford in Hawkhurst’s coach.

Rachel’s presence impacted Skye’s relationship with Hawk even more than she expected. Regrettably, their interactions were restricted to formalities, so she greatly missed their intimate banter. Yet her disappointment couldn’t be allowed to matter, since her primary task was supplying Rachel with support and companionship.

Skye had not anticipated, however, how difficult it would be for her to pretend indifference to Hawk now that her worst worries about Rachel were allayed. They couldn’t touch, and they certainly could not share a bedchamber.