If Nicholas is indeed alive, my dear, you should prepare yourself for scandal, for legally you will still be his wedded wife. I now can only regret my part in arranging your marriage…
Percy also apologized for deceiving her about the hanging.
Nick thought it best to spare you the trauma of watching him die. And knowing the pain you had recently suffered with the loss of your betrothed, I agreed.
It was not Percy's deception, however, that alarmed Aurora. It was knowing that before long the world would realize the condemned cri
minal she had wed was still a fugitive from British naval justice.
Her fingers clenched the letter. She couldn't let this situation go on. It terrified her that Nicholas was risking capture and death to pursue her. She had to make him see reason, to convince him to leave England.
She made an earnest attempt the next day during their morning ride. She'd gotten a later start than usual because Harry's mount had gone lame from a stone bruise and had to be replaced. When Aurora and Harry finally arrived, the park was already filling with governesses and their young charges.
Aurora joined Nicholas and Raven for a sedate ride along Rotten Row, while Harry spurred his mount on, with her groom following close behind. Raven, for once, chose decorum over excitement, so Aurora was forced to hold her tongue and wait for a private word with Nicholas.
Shortly they encountered an open barouche, where an elegant couple was descending with a very young child.
Aurora tensed in alarm when she recognized the Baron and Baroness Sinclair. Damien Sinclair, once known as "Lord Sin," had been a premier rake of England and a prime leader of the Hellfire League before his marriage. There was every possibility, she knew, that he could identify Nicholas.
Aurora hoped to ride quietly past. She greatly admired Lord Sinclair's wife, Vanessa, for they had struck up a friendship during Aurora's come-out a few years earlier, but she had no desire to be seen just then.
As they passed the barouche, however, Vanessa Sinclair spied her and greeted her warmly. Unable to avoid acknowledging the acquaintance, Aurora drew rein.
Lord and Lady Sinclair made a striking couple. Their young daughter, Catherine, was perhaps eighteen months old and just as striking, with her father's raven hair and mother's dark eyes.
With great reluctance, Aurora introduced her party and felt apprehensive when Sinclair eyed Nicholas curiously. She was relieved for the distraction when the toddler squirmed in her father's arms and pointed toward the lake, exclaiming, "Duck! Duck!"
"We are teaching her to feed the ducks," Vanessa said, laughing.
"If you will please excuse us," Sinclair said with the sensual smile that had broken half the female hearts in England. "I've learned it is better never to leave an impatient lady waiting."
Before Vanessa turned away, she apologized to Aurora for not calling recently. "We have been in the country this past fortnight. But if you are free one afternoon this week, I would very much like to come for a visit."
"I would enjoy that immensely, and I hope you will bring Catherine."
Vanessa smiled at this interest in her daughter. "Of course. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Deverill."
"And you, my lady," Nicholas replied, tipping his beaver hat.
Aurora breathed more easily when they were gone, but gave Nicholas an accusing look. "Sinclair seemed to know you."
"That isn't surprising. I met him briefly several years ago before he married, during a weekend of shooting in the country."
"I hear he was quite the rake," Raven said thoughtfully.
"He was," Nicholas acknowledged. "But according to Clune, Sinclair is very much in love with his wife now."
"I could tell by the way he looked at her," Raven replied softly.
Aurora caught the wistful note in her voice, and so apparently did Nicholas, for he gave his half sister a measuring look. "It is not too late to reconsider your marital aspirations, puss. You don't have to wed for financial considerations. You can afford the luxury of a love match."
Raven shook her head adamantly. "I will be quite content with a title. Speaking of which… there is Halford."
Raven adopted a brilliant smile and urged her horse forward to intercept Aurora's former suitor, the Duke of Halford.
Aurora tensed at his appearance and watched as he gave a start of surprise at Raven's bold greeting. Then he glanced Aurora's way, and his look turned icy.
Involuntarily Aurora winced, shuddering to think of her narrow escape. If not for her marriage to Nicholas, she would have been planning her nuptials to Halford by now.