Secrets of Seduction (Legendary Lovers 3)

Easing closer, he kissed her softly, his lips lingering. “This is forever,” he murmured, a promise, a vow.

Her eyelids fluttering open, Skye regarded him steadily. The love shining in her eyes was so fierce, it took his breath away, as did her quiet words:

“I will cherish you all the days of my life,” Skye vowed in return.

Naturally, he had to respond. Gathering her to him, he tilted her face up for an ardent kiss—the beginning of a magical night together.

He left her bed early the following morning, before the servants rose. Skye dozed and when she woke, she lay there pinching herself. She had realized her dream of true love, and the knowledge filled her with joy. Hawk had let her into his heart, finally, and shown her with his body how much she meant to him.

More crucially, they had made a pact to treasure each moment of their time left together on earth. They both knew how precious and fleeting life could be, how priceless love was, and that they couldn’t live life in fear, afraid to lose loved ones, afraid to love.

The contingent from Hawkhurst Castle—Uncle Cornelius, Rachel, Daphne, and Aunt Isabella—arrived late that morning as expected. Quite unexpectedly, however, Daphne had guessed the secret of her parentage.

“After seeing Lord Cornelius’s tenderness for my mother,” she confessed to Skye, “their love for each other seemed too powerful to have occurred in so short a time, and they confirmed my suspicions. To be honest, I am quite glad. Strangely, I never felt wholly part of our family, nor could I explain my differences with Edgar, both physical and otherwise. As for the man I always believed to be my father … given his cruelty, my having no real blood relation to William Farnwell is actually a relief. I am elated that I now have a new, loving family whom I never would have discovered without you.”

Skye was elated as well. She had hoped Cornelius and Daphne could come to know each other as father and daughter, and now they would have the chance.

Cornelius was eager to provide for Daphne financially and had offered to fund her research and travels to investigate new species of roses, but if Edgar kept his word, she would soon have her own significant funds to use as she chose.

Without a doubt, Daphne had Wilde blood running in her veins. Her determined independence, her lively charm and intelligence, her brazen disregard for the limits society placed on females in particular, and her scholarly bent and interest in exploration, were all indicative of how well she would fit into their clan.

Kate said as much when she arrived that afternoon, accompanied by Ash and Maura and Jack and Sophia.

Skye was most grateful when her family heartily welcomed her soon-to-be husband into their ranks. Although Kate had reassured both Ash and Jack about Hawk, Skye had a nervous moment when her male cousins interrogated him at length, yet she couldn’t fault them. The Wildes were overly protective but fiercely loyal and loving, just as families should be. And apparently they were convinced of Hawk’s love for her by the time the other wedding guests arrived at the Court.

Skye truly enjoyed meeting some of Hawk’s closest friends and colleagues. The elderly Sir Gawain Olwen seemed world-weary—understandable given the weight he had carried on his shoulders for so many years as leader of the Guardians—and deserving of retirement, as well as profoundly relieved that Hawk would not be giving up the Guardians for good.

Sir Alex Ryder and his beautiful wife, Eve, were fascinating additions to the guest list, as were Christopher, Viscount Thorne, and his stunning wife, Diana. Daphne and Diana were both skilled artists, so immediately had common interests to discuss.

When the company dined that evening, what began as a formal gathering soon became much lighter with lively conversation and laughter. She and Hawk planned to sail for Cyrene in a week, so Skye was pleased to spend several hours after dinner learning about what she could expect from the island, and hearing tales from Isabella about some of their adventures.

By late that evening, Skye grew concerned Quinn might not arrive in time to give her away at her wedding. And when she woke the following morning, she considered postponing the ceremony but decided against disappointing the others.

After breakfast, Kate and Aunt Bella helped her dress in a rose-colored silk gown, covered by a cream brocade pelisse, since the morning was chilly, despite a watery sun. The wedding parties met at the chapel toward the rear of the estate, where the vicar awaited inside.

They were about to enter the building when the morning quiet was broken by the sound of galloping hooves. Pausing, Skye soon recognized the horseman as her brother. Gladness filled her heart as Quinn leaped down with an athleticism she was certain that even Hawk admired.

Quinn looked as if he had ridden through the night to reach the Court in time, Skye decided as she hurried down the chapel steps to meet him. His fair hair—a darker gold than hers—was tousled beneath his tall beaver hat, and his jaw was stubbled with several days’ growth. Yet even unkempt, he had an unmistakable aristocratic elegance. Quinn was also far taller and much more muscular than she, and his vivid blue eyes were a deeper shade. Even as his sister, she realized his appeal. That masculine allure, combined with his daredevil aura and extreme cynicism, made him an irresistible challenge to the opposite sex. Despite the scandals that seemed to mark his amorous affairs, Quinn was the target of countless marriage-minded females.

Skye embraced him ardently even as she scolded him. “Where the devil have you been, Quinn? I almost despaired of your arriving in time.”

“How was I to know you would go and get yourself engaged?”

Skye noted that he hadn’t specifically answered her question, but just now, where he had been hiding himself wasn’t important, for Hawk had followed her down the steps.

“I believe you know my wayward brother,” she said when Hawk reached them.

The two noblemen clasped hands like old acquaintances, but Quinn’s piercing gaze was highly judgmental as he scrutinized Hawk.

“You needn’t worry,” Skye told her brother. “Jack and Ash have already interrogated Hawk thoroughly and approved my choice of husbands.”

“I am under no allusions that you would have heeded my opinion had I disapproved,” Quinn retorted dryly.

“Certainly I would have heeded your opinion,” she protested. “I would simply have twisted your arm to convince you otherwise.”

Quinn chuckled. “Vintage Skye. In fact, I understand you were the one who pursued him, minx.”

“Who told you that?”