Secrets of Seduction (Legendary Lovers 3) - Page 20
“You did not come here to discuss my horsemanship,” he returned impatiently.
She offered him another smile, this one conciliatory. “Well, no. I was worried that I had made you angry.”
At that vast understatement, a spark of sardonic amusement stirred inside Hawk.
“Actually, I wished to apologize to you,” Lady Skye offered.
“Indeed.”
“Yes. Not for last night. I am not sorry for … mating with you. It was too remarkable to regret. But I am extremely sorry for complicating your life. I truly did not mean to put you in such a quandary.”
Hawk didn’t know whether to be flattered or exasperated by her efforts to disarm him. He kept his stare level, resisting her charm.
“I hoped we might calmly discuss our dilemma.”
“There is nothing to discuss. If you are carrying my child, you will marry me.”
Her features remained calm. “You are right. We would have no choice. If it turns out that I am with child, I will marry you. But I hope that isn’t likely.”
“When were your last courses?”
Her eyes widened, and she looked a trifle embarrassed. Young ladies did not discuss such delicate matters as female bodily functions with gentlemen.
“You are certainly frank, my lord.”
“I was married for several years, remember? Carnal relations depended on my wife’s courses.”
“I finished mine a few days ago.”
“So we have several more weeks before the question is settled.”
“Yes. We will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, I have a proposal for you.”
Hawk cocked his head. “I am listening.”
“I want to remain here at the castle until we learn if I have conceived. It will be only a short time, a month at most.”
His mouth twisted at her perseverance. “You can wait elsewhere just as well, Lady Skye. You cannot stay here. The risk of scandal is too great.”
“My family regularly lives on the edge of scandal. I am not concerned.”
“You should be.”
She returned his unyielding gaze steadily. “I am not a green girl, Lord Hawkhurst. I make my own decisions, and I am willing to live with the consequences.”
“But I am not.”
Skye lifted a well-shaped eyebrow. “Do you know your trouble? You are just too honorable.”
“I didn’t know there was such a thing as being too honorable,” he said dryly.
“Oh, there is. A surfeit runs in my family as well. Take my brother, for instance. He might very well call you out to defend my honor. Trust me, you don’t want Quinn to know what happened between us last night.”
It was said lightly but her inference was obvious. At her audacity, another shaft of unwilling amusement pricked Hawk. Not only had she intruded into his home and upended his hard-won peace, but she was hinting that she had the leverage to blackmail him.
Hawk shook his head. “You can’t win with that argument, sweeting. You won’t tell your brother for fear he would insist on our marriage.”
She sighed and dimpled. “Alas, that’s true. You are too astute, my lord. But I still need help finding my uncle’s former love, and I cannot do it alone. I need you.”
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