Calypso Magic (Magic Trilogy 2)

Diana turned toward the long open windows in the drawing room at the sound of loud cheering from the outside.

"Everyone loves Frances," Hawk said simply. "Where is little Charles?" said Lyon. "I sent him to Alicia and John two days ago. Grunyon! Have Lord Lindsey fetched, immediately!"

"Yes," said Lyon. "The viscount has a little sister."

6

A filly who wants to run will always find a rider.

—JACQUES AUDIBERTI

"It will be a while before she is on Flying Davie's back," Hawk said. "And on her own back," he added under his breath in his wife's ear.

"Hawk!" Frances buffeted him on his shoulder.

Diana smiled at the two of them. Frances was beautiful, she thought without envy. She was sitting on her husband's lap, her head leaned against his broad shoulder. There was a smile on her pale lips and she was saying, her voice thin and hoarse from her travail, "I am delighted to be surrounded by old friends, and my new friend, Diana. Hawk has been driving me absolutely distracted."

"Just wait until your father arrives from Scotland, sweetheart. Then you'll see distracted."

"Papa?" Frances arched a brow. "You know he will spend all his congratulating you on your fine part in everything, just as he did when Charles was born. He just might spare a kiss for me and a pat on the head."

"Not if he'd been here while ---" The earl's voice broke off abruptly.

"You scared the devil out of the boy," said the marquess.

"That," said Lyon, his eye on Hawk, "is impossible, the devil part anyway."

Both Hawk and Frances grinned at Lyonel. "'Tis all too true," she said.

"I understand, Lucia," the countess continued, "that you saved my life, and my daughter's life. I remember you speaking to me, but not too much more. I am in your debt."

"I am glad you don't remember all that much, my dear," said Lucia.

"I am in your debt as well," the earl said.

Diana saw his hand tighten about his wife's waist as he spoke. To be loved like that, she thought. Some people were so very lucky. "We wish you to be our daughter's godmother, Lucia, if, that is, you don't mind sharing the responsibility with my interfering father."

Lucia grinned at the marquess and said, "This old man will do as I tell him. You, my boy, just haven't yet learned how to deal with him."

"Hurrumph," said the marquess. "Mixing up my stew with this old shrew. Come here, Lucia, and let me hug you."

"Philandering old goat," said Lucia, and hugged the marquess.

Lyonel said in a low voice to Diana, "The marquess is a wily old devil, but he has met his match in Lucia. I'll never forget how he got Hawk and Frances together, why it was ---"

"Telling tales, Lyon?" Hawk said. "She'll never believe you."

"Very well, I'll hold the tale and wait for a boring winter night. Diana will particularly enjoy the part of your, er, former mistress, saving the day."

To Diana's surprise, Frances Hawksbury laughed, a grating, hoarse sound.

"Lyonel can tell Diana all about it when they are traveling to the West Indies," said Lucia with great complacency.

This announcement brought all eyes to Lyonel and Diana.

"Lucia," Lyon began, "I would that you not ---"

"Nonsense, my boy."