The Art of Taming a Rake (Legendary Lovers 4)

And perhaps there could be much more between them than simple pleasure after all.

He would definitely have to think on it, Quinn decided, since clearly he would never be able to conquer his ever-burgeoning desire for her.

—

Shortly after midday, their situation changed abruptly. As they were finishing luncheon, a message arrived from the Earl of Hawkhurst. Quinn bade the courier to see to his horse and wait for a reply, then studied the missive intently.

From her place beside him at the dining table, Venetia watched anxiously as Quinn frowned. “What does Hawkhurst say? Did he find evidence linking Lisle to the attacks on you?”

“No. He had Lisle followed and also questioned a number of servants and acquaintances, but uncovered

no suspicious behavior. Hawk now believes Lisle is unlikely to be the culprit. But he sent news of greater import.”

“What could be greater?”

“A report from Macky in France.”

“About the shipwreck?”

“Yes.” Quinn’s grave expression worried her. “Macky found no indication of a salvage effort or recently discovered treasure. As far as he can tell, my parents’ schooner is still there at the bottom of the sea. But there were rumors of a survivor from the wreck. A passenger who lived several weeks before dying of her injuries.”

Venetia felt her heart skip a beat. “Weren’t all the passengers thought drowned at sea?”

“Yes, but these rumors claim that the day after the violent storm, a woman washed ashore near a coastal village some twenty leagues from the port where my parents embarked.”

She furrowed her brow as she tried to calculate the meaning of the news. “Could it have been your…mother?”

When Quinn lifted his gaze to hers, she could see the troubled emotion there in the blue depths. “It’s possible. Or it could have been Ash and Kate’s mother, Lady Beaufort. Or a maid or some other female servant. Hawk warned that it is too soon to draw any conclusions. Macky needs more time to identify the woman and locate those who tried to nurse her back to health. It happened so long ago, though, the trail is ice cold.”

Quinn ran a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. “Macky’s investigation has only spawned more mysteries, but his report settles it for me. I am returning to London on the morrow.”

His adamant declaration disquieted Venetia. “Is that necessary?”

“I want to be ready to sail to France in the event there is any news about my mother.”

Of course if his mother had survived for even a short time, he would want to know more about what had happened. Even so…“But in London, you will still be in grave danger.”

“I have cowered here long enough.”

“Can Hawkhurst not continue investigating in your absence?”

“It grates, relying on Hawk and Macky to solve my problems. I intend to take back control of my life.”

Hearing the resolve in his voice, Venetia realized the futility of arguing. “What will you do?”

Quinn folded the missive. “I think the time has come for me to confront Lisle directly. Face-to-face, I can get a sense of his desire for revenge and perhaps determine for certain if the attacks on me are related to the pendant.”

“And if not?”

“Then I should refocus the investigation elsewhere, starting with my main shipping rival. In any case, my return could serve to draw out the assassin.”

A chill swept over Venetia. “Surely there is no need for such haste.”

“There is every need. By the time I reach London, I will have been gone a fortnight.”

Aware of the queasy knot forming in her stomach, she tried once more. “You do remember that your wound is not fully healed yet?”

“It has healed well enough. You saw that for yourself yesterday when you inspected the remaining stitches. I can ride now, and I no longer feel disgustingly weak. You needn’t worry about me, Venetia.”