Secrets of Seduction (Legendary Lovers 3)

“Yes, I intend to.”

When he had washed his own face and hands, he led her to the adjacent sitting room, where he drew her down to sit beside him on the chintz sofa, blatantly disregarding how their smoke-stained clothes might soil the fabric.

Skye didn’t care, either, not when Hawk’s arm went around her shoulders and tucked her against his body, her head on his shoulder. It was darker here, with only light from the lamp in the bedchamber streaming through the door, and rather chilly with no fire in the hearth, but still strangely cozy with the steady drum of the rain on the windows and the steadier beat of Hawk’s heart beneath her cheek.

When she felt a shudder run through him, she suspected he was thinking about the events just past. She raised the back of his hand to her lips and tenderly kissed his burn scars.

“I am sorry you had to relive that terrible time,” Skye said quietly.

“As am I.” His arm tightened

about her. “The terror I felt …”

“I felt the same terror.” She could hear emotion vibrating in her own voice. “I was never so glad to see anyone in my life.”

“Because you needed help battling the fire?”

“No, not only that.”

“You were managing well enough on your own. You didn’t need me.”

Skye gave a muffled laugh at that untruth. “Of course I needed you. I will always need you—rather desperately.”

He kissed the crown of her head. “I am an incredibly lucky man.”

She lifted her head from his shoulder. The dim lamplight flared against Hawk’s molded cheekbones and provided enough illumination for her to see that his beautiful face held unmistakable tenderness.

“Tell me again, Hawk.”

He seemed to realize what she wanted to hear. “I love you dearly, my darling Skye. And I want us to be married as soon as possible.”

She hesitated. “Would you mind very much if we held the ceremony at Tallis Court?”

“Your home? The Traherne family seat?”

“Yes. I would like all my family in attendance and our vicar to marry us.”

When Hawk drew her close again, Skye expounded. “It would mean delaying for a sennight or more, but it may take me that long to locate my brother. Quinn claims his attention is fixed on his latest invention to revolutionize sailing ships, but I suspect he has kept away to avoid becoming Kate’s next matchmaking victim. The wedding of his only sister should draw him out of hiding, though.”

She heard the smile in Hawk’s voice. “Your brother is in hiding to avoid your cousin’s matchmaking?”

“I suspect so. Quinn thinks her legendary lovers theory is ludicrous and wants no part of it. I believe his man of business knows where he is, but I need time to run him to ground—and to send out the other invitations. Moreover, the guest list will be rather long. Despite the refurbishments that have been completed, there likely won’t be enough habitable bedchambers to accommodate them all here.”

“How many guests do you have in mind?”

“Well, Kate, of course, and Ash and Jack and their new wives. You know both my cousins, but you haven’t met Maura and Sophie. And then there is Aunt Bella and Uncle Cornelius and Rachel and Daphne.…”

“I see your point,” Hawk said wryly. “As long as we are having a large wedding then, I would like Sir Gawain and several of my other colleagues and close friends to be present—at least the ones who are already here in England.”

“Of course. Fortunately Tallis Court is large enough to house an army of guests.” Skye’s brow furrowed as a thought occurred to her. “In fact, after we are wed, we could live temporarily at Tallis Court while repairs are being completed here at Hawkhurst Castle. I am certain Quinn won’t mind. He hasn’t resided at the Court for months.”

“I have another idea. What would you say to visiting Cyrene for a wedding trip?”

Skye did not have to think twice. “I would love that. I could see where you have lived for the last ten years.”

“A journey there would also allow me to resolve the status of my breeding stables. I want to bring some of my prize stock to England.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, puzzled.