aEarly Charles I, but close enough. It doesnat have the elegance of Vanas house, or the age of mine, and the Somerfords havenat been wealthy since the Civil War, so itas shabby in places. But it was always my favorite place to be.a Head come to a halt considering it. aIt was always a place of love and kindness and tranquil days.a aWhat happened to them?a More violence?

He looked at her as if coming out of memories. aWas I speaking in the past tense? That comes out of my mind rather than reality. But Conas father and brother died while we were in the army. It was his fatheras heart. His brother drowned. Fred was boating mad. His mother and younger sister still live there, however, and he has two older sisters who are married with families of their own.a Clarissa gave thanks for what sounded like a normal family. She was beginning to think such things a matter only for fable!

aAnd Lord Vandeimen? He doesnat mention any family.a He gestured for them to walk on, and she obeyed. She noted, however, that he didnat touch her this time as he had so many times before. Had that burst of violence indicated a change of mind in him, as well as for her?

What was she to do about that?

aSadly, Van has none left. Itas hard to believe. Steynings was always so full of life. His mother and one sister died in the influenza that swept through here. His other sister died in childbirth a year ago, on the exact day of Waterloo. God alone knows, death was not short of business that day.a He collected himself. aItas not surprising that his father went downhill. He shot himself.a aAnd Lord Vandeimen came home from battle to all that? How terrible.a aBut his marriage has begun to heal the wounds.a Marriage. Capable of healing, capable of wounding. She suddenly saw it not as a device, as a comfortable matter of orange blossoms and beds, but as an elemental force.

aMy parents were not like that,a she said, half to herself. aIam sure their marriage was alwaysa and.a aPerhaps not. Many marriages begin with dreams and ideals.a She looked at him, realizing that they were talking about marriagea"now, when she had become dreadfully uncertain.

aWhat of your parents, Hawk?a aMine?a His laugh was short and bitter. aMy father tricked my mother into marriage to gain her estate. Once he had it, he gave her no further thought other than to push her out of his way.a She stared at him, thinking perhaps she at last understood his lack of action. aYou fear to be like your father?a she asked softly.

They had stopped again. aPerhaps,a he said.

She grasped her courage. aIf we were to marry, would you give me no further thought other than to push me out of your way?a Humor, true humor, sparked in his eyes. aIf I found you in my way, Iad likely ravish you on the spot.a She laughed, feeling her face burn with hot pleasure. aThen marry me, Hawk!a And thus Hawk found himself frozen, pinned to an impossible spot by the words that had escaped him. If he said no, she would shrivel. If he said yes, it would be the direst betrayal.

He could not trap her without telling her the truth. If he told the truth, she would flee.

Head been silent too long. Mortification rushed into her cheeks, and she turned to stumble away down the path.

He caught her round the waist, stopping her, pulling her against him. aClarissa, Iam sorry! You are being very generous, and Ia Dazzled by sunshine and wilderness adventures with you, Iam in no state to make a logical decision.a She fought him. He felt tears splash on his hands. In fear of hurting her, he let her go.

She whirled on him, brushing angrily at her eyes with both hands. aLogical! Do you deny that you went to Cheltenham in search of the Devilas Heiress?a aNo.a aThen why, for heavenas sake, when the rabbit wants to leap into the wolfs jaws, are you stepping back?a aPerhaps, dammit, because rabbits are not supposed to leap into jaws!a She planted her fists on her hips. aSo! You will hold my boldness against me and cling to conventional ways!a Her look up and down was magnificently annihilating. aI thought better of you, sir.a With that salvo, she turned and marched away, and this time he did not try to stop her. He watched for a moment, transfixed with admiration and pure, raging lust.

My God, but he wanted this treasure of a woman in every possible way. He forced his feet into action to follow, plunging madly back into thought to find an answer, a solution. And it was as much for her as for him. He could not bear to see her suffer like this.

He could accept her offer of marriage. He recognized it for the worm it was, but he could make a clear case in favor.

She loved him. Perhaps she would forgive. Perhaps she would accept a future as Lady Deveril. If not, she would be the offended party, and could march off, banners flying. Head keep not a penny more of her money than he absolutely needed, and would never try to restrict her freedom. Head give her a divorce if she wanted it.

But divorce always shamed the woman. She would never be restored to the promise of life that she had now. He would be stealing that from her.

And it would have to be an elopement, with all the problems head already considered. All the problems that had made him reject that course. He had always prided himself on courage and an iron will, but now head found his weakness. He seemed able to stick to nothing where Clarissa was concerned.

Van.

He had made his friend a promise. Head already gone further than he ought. Elopement, thougha"that would be an outright violation. Van might even feel obliged to call him out.

God Almighty! That would be the hellish nadir, to risk killing or being killed by one of his closest friends.

The path separated from the high stone wall, and Clarissa took the branch heading toward the river and the humpbacked bridge. He watched her straight back and high-held head.

Such courage, though he was sure she was still fighting tears. She hurt. He knew that. She wouldnat agree now, but it was a minor hurt that time would heal.

He must stick to his other plan and let her fly free.

Clarissa watched a crow flap up from the field in front of her and wished she could simply fly away from this excruciating situation. All she could do, however, was hurry to rejoin her party and return to Brighton.

Empty, purposeless Brighton.

No more Hawk.

Why had he pursued her if he did not want her? Why had he kissed her like that in the wilderness if he did not want her? Was it true what they said, that a man would kiss and ravish any woman, given the chance?

It hadnat felt like that, but what did she know of the reality between men and women?

But, oh, it hurt to think that all her money was not sweetening enough to make her palatable.

She was sure that he was still coming along behind her, and she longed to turn and scream stupid, pride-salving things at him. That she didnat want him. Didnat need him. That she thought his kisses horrid.

She bit her lip. As if anyone would believe that.

All she could do was escape with the shreds of her dignity intact.

And then what?

No more Hawk.

No Hawk in the Vale.

No heaven for her. Ever.

She came to a stile, and for a stupid moment the wooden structure seemed like an insurmountable obstacle, especially with tears blurring her vision. She gathered her skirts in order to climb it.

Hawk suddenly stepped past her to climb over and offer her a hand. She had to face him again. Was she fooling herself that his eyes seemed to mirror her pain?

She put her hand in his, realizing by sight that it was gloveless. Somewhere in the wilderness she had mislaid that symbol of the well-bred lady.

As she stepped up on her side, he said, aIam sorry. You know how to turn a man topsy-turvy, Clarissa.a aItas entirely an accident, I assure you. I know nothing.a aI shouldnat have criticized you for making that proposal.a He was blocking her way, but at a point where she was nearly a foot taller. Deliberately giving her that superiority?

aI meant what I said,a he went on. aIam dazzled. This has been an unexpected and remarkable day, and our adventures in the wilderness were enough to turn any man crazed. You must see that.a The splinters of ice in her heart started to melt, but he wasnat really explaining. Or accepting her offer.

aI canat answer you now,a he said. aI told you about my parents. My mother flung herself into marriage with my father in a state of blind adoration, then clung to her disappointment for the rest of her life. Marriage is not a matter to be decided in emotion.a She stared down at him. aYouare likening me to your father? You, sir, are the fortune hunter here!a aThen why did you ask me to marry you?a She knew she was turning red again. aVery well. I, like your father, lust after Hawk in the Vale. At least Iam honest about it. And I wonat push you aside if you get in my way.a There was something to be said for anger, she realized, and for an additional foot of height!

aAnd,a she added, ayou went to Cheltenham looking for me.a aYes.a aChecking me out before making a commitment?a A smile twitched his lips. aI liked what I found.a aAnd you suggested that I come to Brighton.a aYes.a aAnd kissed me at the fair.a aYes.a aAnd took me into the wilderness.a He looked rather as if she were raining blows on him. That didnat stop her. She would not play coy games anymore.

She stepped over the middle of the stile to loom over him even more. aSo, Major Hawkinville, what happens next?a aYou fly like the falcon you are.a He put his hands at her waist and lifted her, spinning her in a circle twice, then down to the grass beyond.

She landed, laughing despite herself. aNo one but you has ever done that to me, Hawk. Made me fly.a She meant it in many more ways than a spin through the air, and she knew head know that.

What now? Should she risk devastation by asking him againa ?

A scream severed the moment.

A young childas shriek.

After a dazed moment, Clarissa realized that a splash had gone with the scream. Hawk was already running, already halfway across a field to the rivera"the river so deep it had kept the village on one side until the bridge was built. She picked up her skirts and raced after him, dodging around slightly startled cows.

The child was still screaming, but she couldnat see the riverbank for bullrushes. Screaming was good, but then she realized that there might be more than one child. One screaming, one drowning.

Hawk could swim. She remembered that and thanked God.

The screaming stopped, and she saw that Hawk was there, and a small child was pointing. Then he waded through the rushes.

She ran the last little way, gasping, and took the girlas hand. She could see a boy Sailing, but in quite shallow water near the edge. Hawk grabbed the boyas arm and hauled him close.

Safe.

Safe.

Clarissa sucked in some needed air, collapsing onto the grass with the little girl in her lap. aThere, there, sweetheart. Itas all right. Major Hawkinville has your friend.a The dark-haired child was very young to be out without an adult, and the lad didnat look much older. No wonder theyad fallen into such trouble.

Wondering at the silence, she turned the girlas face toward her and found tears pouring from huge blue eyes, but eerily without a sound. aOh, poppet, cry if you want.a She raised her cream skirt to wipe the tears.

A hiccup escaped, but that was all. But then suddenly the child buried her face in Clarissaas shoulder and clung, shivering like Jetta that first day. Clarissa held her tight and crooned to her.

She thought to look around for the forgotten cat and found it there, lying in the grass, eyes on the child in Clarissaas lap. Clarissa made a little room, and Jetta leaped up.

The child flinched, but Jetta pushed closer, purring, and the little girl put out a grubby hand to touch her. Then shivering little arms encircled, and tears fell onto the silky fur.

Hawk had the other child out of the water and was hugging him too. He and she were both going to be muddy, but Hawk didnat seem to mind, and she certainly didnat. She was glad that he wasnat wasting breath yelling at the frightened boy.

Clarissa bid her face in the girlas curls. She was besotted by everything about Major Hawk Hawkinville. She could even, in a way, admire him for not snatching the prize shead dangled in front of him.

He would be a wonderful father, though. Shead never thought that way before, but she wanted him as father to her children.

He carried the boy over. aHe seems to mostly speak French, and be of a taciturn disposition, but heas one of Mrs. Rowlandas children, so this must be the other.a aWhoas Mrs. Rowland?a aA Belgian woman married to an invalid English officer. She has rooms in the village.a aHer children shouldnat be out alone.a aNo, but thereas little money. She has to go away sometimes, seeking an inheritance. People have offered to help, but sheas proud. Weall take them home as we go.a Clarissa separated reluctant child and cat, then held out a hand. He helped her up with the little girl still clutching.

aAt least,a he said, looking her over, ano one is going to be commenting about stains on your dress now.a Clarissa chuckled. aIam definitely not still tied down by mundane cares.a She didnat want to think back to all that had happened, however, and she had no idea how to go forward. She focused instead on the fact that the little girl was barefoot, and the boy too.

aWhere are your shoes, little one?a she asked the girl in French.

The dark curls shook, no.

The boy said, aWe were not wearing any.a aThatas not uncommon in the country,a Hawk said, aand even less so on the continent. But I suspect that these two slipped out of the cottage without permission. Their mother is probably frantic.a They crossed the bridge into the village, passing a sinewy woman with a basket who clucked her tongue. aThose little imps. Do you want me to take them, sir?a Hawk thanked her but refused, and led the way behind the clanging smithy to a door in the back of another building.

aBert Fagg lets out these rooms,a he said.

aA rough place for an officer and his wife,a Clarissa said.

aI know, but sheas living on my fatheras charity. She claims to be a connection of his. He certainly enjoys her company. He said he invited her to live in the manor house, but she refused. Sheas a strange, difficult woman.a He knocked on the door of the very silent building. Rough cloths covered the windows, so Clarissa couldnat see inside.

aPerhaps sheas out looking for the children,a she said.

But then the door swung open and a dark-clothed woman stepped out. The only brightness about her was a stark white cap that covered her graying hair and tied under her chin with narrow laces. She did not look well. Her skin was sallow, and dark rings circled her eyes.

aOh, mon dieu!a she exclaimed, snatching the little girl from Clarissaas arms. aDelphie!a Then she went off into a rapid tirade of French that Clarissa could not follow.

She heard a noise and looked down to see Jetta, back arched, hissing at the woman. She hastily picked up the cat. aHush.a Jetta relaxed, but still looked at Mrs. Rowland with a fixed stare. Clarissa could almost hear a silent hiss, and knew just how the cat felt. Yes, any mother might berate a child who had fallen into danger, but there was something coldly furious rather than panicked about Mrs. Rowland.

Clarissa glanced at the boy, whom Hawk had put down. He looked suitably afraid. Any child could be afraid after being caught in such naughtiness, and he had taken his baby sister into danger with him. All the same, there was something old about his fear. She desperately wanted to stand between the woman and her children, as shead stood between Jetta and the duckling.

Mrs. Rowland suddenly put the girl down and said in clear French, aCome, Pierre. Take Delphie inside.a Pierre walked over to his sister, head held high, and led her into the cottage, aThank you, Major Hawkinville,a said Mrs. Rowland in heavily accented English. She sounded as if shead rather be eating glass.

aAnyone would have helped. May I ask that you not be too harsh on them, Mrs. Rowland? I think they have learned their lesson through their fright.a The woman did not thaw. aThey must learn not to slip away.a She went back into her house and shut the door.

Clarissa blinked, startled by such lack of gratitude, and also by a flash of recognition. Who? Where? She was certain shead never met Mrs. Rowland before.

Hawk drew her away. aThereas nothing we can do. Any family in the village would spank the pair of them for that.a aI know. But I donat like that woman.a She stroked the cat in her arms. aJetta hissed at her.a aUnderstandable. Thatas only the second time weave spoken, and she makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Iad think she was avoiding me except that she avoids everyone except my father.a They walked back around the smithy onto the green.

aShe visits your father?a aYes, and surprisingly he frets if she stays away too long.a aYou donat like it?a He glanced at her. aI told you once, Iam inclined to be suspicious of every little thing.a aI suspect your instincts are finely tuned.a His look turned intent. aAt the time, as I remember, I was speaking of Miss Hurstman. You have reason to worry about her?a Clarissa almost told him. But no. At this point she wasnat at all sure that he could be trusted with her secrets.

aSurely Hawk Hawkinville can find out about a Belgian woman married to a British officer called Rowland.a aHawk Hawkinville has been somewhat busy. But certainly the next time Iam in London Iall check on them both at the Horse Guards. She rubs me the wrong way, but sheas probably simply a poor woman in a very difficult situation and with a prickly nature.a Then he said, aGads, Maria is probably already at the Peregrine, steaming! Come on!a He took her hand and they hurried across the green. This was the moment when Clarissa had promised herself that she would propose.

But she had, and shead been rejected. It was so painful that she couldnat imagine how men plucked up the courage to do it, especially the second time.

Shead spiraled up to heaven in his arms, then plunged into fear at his violence, and then to hurt and furious shame at his rejection. But she still loved him. Silly, besotted fool that she was, she still loved, still hoped.

They were almost at the inn. She said, aThat is a horrid house,a meaning the stuccoed one next door.

aThoroughly.a aIf your father owns the village, didnat the builder need permission?a He stopped and turned her toward him. aClarissa, I need to tell you something.a aYes?a Her heart speeded. She sensed this was something crucial.

aMy father is deep in debt to Slade, the man who owns that house. Thatas why he couldnat stop it. My father has mortgaged Hawkinville Manor and all its estates to Slade. If we donat get a lot of money soon, Slade will be squire here. And the first thing he plans to do is to rip down the manor and the cottages to build an even more monstrous house on the river.a She stared at him, struck by an almost physical sense of loss. aYou canat permit that! My money. Itas my money that you need, isnat it? Then whya ?a He winced. aI canat explain everything now, Clarissa. But I wanted you to know the truth. So youad understand.a aBut I donat understand.a aMajor Hawkinville! Good day to you, sir.a They both turned to the man who had come out of the white monster. He was middle-aged, fit, and well dressed. If Clarissa had been a cat, she would have hissed.

Hawk put an arm around her as if in protection and moved to avoid the man.

aA lovely day, is it not?a Slade persisted.

aIt is becoming less so.a Clarissa could feel tension in Hawka"the leashed desire for violence. The wretched Slade must know it and was deliberately tormenting him.

aYou and your lovely lady have had an accident, Major?a the man asked, narrow eyes flicking over them.

Clarissa realized that in addition to being a mess she still had her hat hanging down her back, and her hair was doubtless rioting. A glance showed her that Hawk for once was almost as disordered.

aOnly in meeting you, sir,a said Hawk.

aSo I suspect,a said Slade in a voice full of innuendo.

Clarissa felt Hawk inhale, and hastily stepped between the men. aYou must be Mr. Slade. Major Hawkinville has told me how kind you have been to his poor father.a Slade froze, and his narrowed gaze flicked between her and Hawk.

aClarissaaa Hawk put his hand on her again to move her away.

aHow happy you will be,a she said, evading him again, ato know that soon your generosity will be repaid. I am a very wealthy woman.a It was delicious to see the odious Slade turn pale with shock and fury, but Clarissa didnat dare look at Hawk. He was probably pale with shock and fury too, but she hadnat been able to stand seeing him baited.

aMy congratulations, Major,a Slade spat out.

aThank you, Slade.a Hawkas voice sounded flat. aIt must be a great relief to know that your generous loans will be repaid in full, with interest, before the due date.a aA hasty marriage, eh? Doubtless wise.a Clarissa blocked Hawk again, facing the iron founder. aNot at all, sir.a She wanted to knock the man down herself! aIt will take time to arrange a suitably grand affair. On the village green, no doubt, since Major Hawkinvilleas family is so important here.a Oh, lord. She could feel Hawkas anger blistering her back.