She had survived a perilous life by recognizing when to drop one plan and pick up another. She headed briskly for her home here.

She still had Lieutenant Rowland, and there was a chance of Nicholasas child. All was not lost. Possibly, just possibly, she could have her money and Nicky on his knees begging before it ended.

Once Althea was calmed, Maria looked at Mr. Delaney. aYouare the leader of the Company of Rogues, arenat you? I heard of you from Sarah Yeovil, and of course some more from Van.a aLeader?a he said, looking strangely both relaxed and poised for action. aThat was at Harrow. Now weare simply a group of friends.a Maria glanced at Althea, wishing she could send her away again. Sensible Lord Trevor had not reappeared.

aBut what connection is there between a group of school friends and Clarissa that leads to you giving Con a command? Ah, no, Iam sure youad call it some friendly advice.a His eyes sparkled with amusement. aThe connection is Lord Arden,a he said, and it was fencing for the hell of it. aHeas a Rogue. His wife was one of Clarissaas schoolteachers and is by way of being a friend and mentor now.a aYou Rogues are very willing to put yourselves out for each other, arenat you?a aOf course. Is that not the root of friendship?a They were interrupted by Lord Trevor, carrying Hawkas cat. aLady Vandeimen? This catas hanging around and making a nuisance of itself. Someone said it was the majoras.a aIt belongs at the manor, I supposeaa But Maria remembered Van saying the squireas dogs would eat it.

The cat leaped out of Lord Trevoras arms and up onto the table to look around with what could only be described as severe annoyance. Maria sketched the rescue story for Delaney, and he laughed. aIall take her up to the Court and try to keep her there until Hawkinville returns. One certainty in all this is that he will return.a He picked up the cat, and though still radiating grievance, she stayed in his arms. aWhat do you wish to do now, Lady Vandeimen? There is nothing you can accomplish here, I think.a Maria sympathized with the catas feelings. aI am not one of your Rogues, Mr. Delaney.a Even so, she rose. aI see that I get the task of explaining to Clarissaas chaperone that I have allowed her to be carried off to a clandestine marriage.a He put on a look of mild alarm. aDefinitely. Iam not going to take that news to Arabella Hurstman.a aYou know the lady, I see,a she said, pulling on her gloves.

aOh, yes. I asked her to take care of Clarissa.a . aNepotism!a gasped Althea, who was looking dazed.

He glanced at her. aDid she say that? She would. As it happens, sheas godmother to my daughter. Tell her that Arabel is nearby and will come to visit when this is straightened outa"if she doesnat eat anyone in the meantime.a aYour child has cannibalistic tendencies, Mr. Delaney?a He grinned. aMore than likely. But I was referring to Miss Hurtsman. Donat worry. This all seems high drama at the moment, but it will sort out readily enough with a little attention.a aIndeed! What a shame you werenat involved in the war.a Though he scarcely twitched, it hit home, and she shepherded Althea out of the room regretting her sharp words. She was irritated at being excluded from the inside circle, however, and deeply worried about Van.

All had been delightful since their marriage, but it wasnat that long since head tried to blow his brains out. His estates were in no danger, and he had many reasons to live, but some of those reasons were rooted in Hawk in the Vale and the Georges.

What would happen if this caused a deep breach with Hawk?

They climbed into the waiting carriage, and Lord Trevor appeared, leading his horse, ready to escort them.

Such an excellent young man, and thank heavens head been spared both physically and mentally by the war.

Unlike Con. Con had left to follow Van, but she suddenly realized that Con could be put in a position of having to choose between two groups of friends.

She almost left the carriage, driven to stay here. But why? There was nothing she could do. Whatever happened would happen far from here, presumably on the road north. Could Hawk really outrace Van? What would happen when Van caught them?

Van said that Con was the steady one, the one who had anchored them to prevent extremes. But the Con Somerford she had known in the past weeks did not strike her as rock solid, even with Susan and his new happiness.

Van said it was Waterloo, and the loss of his fellow Rogue, Dare Debenham, there.

Maria had known Dare. His mother, the Duchess of Yeovil, was a distant cousin. Dare had been a young man put on earth to make others smile, and Sarah Yeovil had not even begun to recover from his loss, especially as there had been no body to bury. It had taken months for her to accept that he was gone.

Con Somerford hadnat deceived himself that way, but apparently, despite all reason, he blamed himself, as if he could have nursemaided Dare through the battle and kept him safe.

He couldnat afford to lose another friend.

Chapter Twenty-one.

Tollgates, thought Van, were a very useful institution. Not only did they provide the funding for decent roads, they marked the passage of travelers, especially unusual ones such as a man with a lady up behind him.

When he joined the London road, the keeper of the first tollbooth north told him that no such couple had gone that way, on horse, by carriage, or on foot. Of course. Hawk would hardly try to outrace him on the direct route, double-laden.

He had to turn back toward Brighton to check the side roads, but there were dozens of them weaving off into a complex network linking village to village. Damn Hawk. He was going to have to waste hours, and he didnat have the patient nature for this kind of work.

Con might follow, so he left a quick note with the tollkeeper explaining his actions, and saying that he would leave a clue on the signposts of the roads he went down. It would be one of their old boyhood signs. A twist of wheat. The fields were full of it.

Then he turned back, stopping to ask anyone he passed if theyad seen the couple, and also to cut a handful of wheat from the edge of a field. He turned off onto the first side road after sticking a crude wheat dolly in a crack on the top of the signpost.

Damn Hawk! Head throttle him when he caught him. And yet a part of him hoped his friend would get away, marry Clarissa, and that it would all somehow work out for the best.

Hawk followed side roads and did some cross-country work, though he couldnat jump hedges with Clarissa at his back. They didnat talk and he was glad of it. He didnat know what to say.

Speed wasnat important at this point; concealment was. At an out-of-the-way village he stopped at a small inn and asked if anyone in the area would have a gig to hire out. Luck was with him, and Mr. Idler, the squint-eyed innkeeper, admitted to having one available himself. aMostly used to go to market day, sir.a Despite the squint, Hawk assessed the man as honest, and the type to hold his own counsel. aMay I hire your gig, sir, for a week or more?a The man pursed his lips. aA week or more, sir? Thatad be a bit of an inconvenience.a aIad pay very well. And Iad leave my horse as security.a The manas eyes sharpened, and he went over to give Centaur an expert scrutiny. aNice beast,a he said, but he still looked suspicious. aWhere you and the lady be going, then, sir?a Hawk gave him the true answer. aGretna Green. But Iall only take the gig as far as London. Perhaps not even so far as that. I wonat be able to return it until we come back, though.a The man looked between them, then fixed his eyes-more or lessa"on Clarissa. aYou going willingly, miss?a Hawk watched her response. She smiled brilliantly. aOh, yes. And Iam not being duped by a worthless rascal, either. My companion is an army officer who served well with the Duke of Wellington.a Mr. Idler was not impressed. aThereas many a gallant soldier no sane woman would want to husband, miss, but thatas your affair.a He turned to Hawk. aRight, then, sir.a They settled terms quickly, then Idler added, aYour lady might want a cloak, sir. I could sell you one my daughter left behind for a shilling.a The deal was struck, and Clarissa climbed into the gig wearing a typical hooded country cloak of bright-red wool over the shambles of her fashionable gown. She smiled down at the innkeeper and said, aThank you. Youave been very kind.a aAye, well, I hope so.a Hawk extended his hand to the man, and after a surprised moment, Idler shook it. aIall take good care of your horse, sir. But if youare not back here in a few weeks with my gig, Iall sell it.a aOf course. I make no demands on you, but if my ladyas brothers should happen by, we would appreciate it if you didnat tell them of our business.a But Idler didnat make any promises. aDepends on what they say, sir, and what I make of them.a Hawk laughed. aAs is your right. My thanks for your help.a He climbed up, accepted Clarissaas bright smile wishing he were worthy of it, and set a rough course east to pick up the Worthing road north of Horsham and work his way to London by that roundabout route.

They went four hours on the Worthing-to-London road, able to make only a steady pace because of the one horse. He wanted to push closer to London, but the sun set and then darkness crept in, with rain threatening. Hawk turned off into a narrow road to a village called Mayfield, which he hoped would have some sort of inn.

He halted the gig partway, however. aWeall have to stop here for the night. Any regrets?a She looked at him with a calm, direct gaze. aNone, except that you canat tell me why.a He was tempted, but he said, aNo, I canat. But weall stay here as brother and sister.a She smiled as if she was hiding laughter. aNo one will believe it. We look completely unalike. We might as well stay as husband and wife. It is what we will be, isnat it?a His heart began to thump, but she was right. aYes, it is.a He dug in his pocket and took out the rings head broughta"a plain gold band, and the one with the smooth ruby between two hearts.

aItas been the betrothal ring in my family since Elizabethan times,a he said, taking her left hand and sliding the ring onto her finger. aA perfect fit. We do seem to be fated.a aI think so.a She blinked away tears. aI didnat know I could be so happy as this. And the other?a He held it in his fingers. aMy motheras wedding ring. Iam not sure we want to use it. She wore it all her life, but apparently refused to be buried with it.a She closed his hand around the ring. aYou are not your father, Hawk, and neither am I. We are marrying because we love each other. Nothing else matters.a She opened his hand again to look at the ring. aI wish I could wait until we say our vows, but I suppose I should wear it.a Her complete trust was undermining him, but head known how it would be. Rather as a man facing amputation knows how it will be. Knows it has to be.

He slid the ruby ring back off her finger and put the gold band on. aWith this ring,a he said to her, aI promise that I will always cherish you, Clarissa, and will do everything in my power to make your life happy.a He meant every word, but even so they were tainted by what was really going on.

She shone without reservation. He put the ruby ring above the other and clicked the tired horse into motion again. aWeall wait until the real vows are said before we go any further with this, of course.a She didnat say anything, but when he glanced at her she was smiling in a damned mysterious manner.

The Dog and Partridge was small, but the buxom landlady admitted to a room for the night. He didnat think she believed for a moment that they were married, even with the rings, but she was willing to mind her own business.

He saw Clarissa blush as they were led upstairs and into a clean, surprisingly spacious bedroom, but she showed no sign of doubt or hesitation. What would he do if she did begin to get cold feet? Compel her to go through with it?

Impossible.

The woman lit a lamp and went to arrange their washing water and their dinner. Then they were alone.

As well as the bed, the room contained a table and chairs, and two good-sized armchairs with cushions on the seats. A washstand occupied one corner and a chamber pot another, both with screens, thank heavens, though he would use the outside convenience.

Clarissa hung up her cloak, then sat in a chair. aIam astonishingly happy. But, then, you know I have an impatient nature. Waiting weeks for a church wedding would have been torture. I only wish it were possible to fly to Gretna Green.a Hawk laughed, wondering if it sounded like a groan. aI wish that too.a He meant that head not have to worry about pursuit anymore, and would be sooner done with deception, but he saw her take it as a longing for her delightful body naked in a bed with him.

Another groan threatened. He did long, and from her slight, totally wicked smile, he feared his bride longed too.

How the devil had it come to this? And yet this was the only option that would save the village and give at least a fragile chance of winning Clarissa too. But if he didnat win hera He could shoot himself. Hawk in the Vale would be saved.

But then it would end up sold when the squire died with no heir. Damnation. He had to get her with child to see this through?

After a knock, the door opened to admit two maids with their meal and jugs of washing water. He gave them their vails and they curtsied out.

Hawk pulled himself together. Head never been one to do things halfheartedly. These moody silences didnat serve at all. He smiled at Clarissa. aDo you want to wash first, or eat?a aEat,a she said with a grin. aBut Iall wash my face and hands at least. I am starving, though. I was in too much of a tizzy to eat much at lunch.a She looked at him, rosy with some kind of humorous guilt. aIad vowed to propose to you, you see, if you didnat get around to it. I wasnat leaving Hawkinville without trying to capture you.a He could not resist. He went over and kissed her. aI am certainly thoroughly snared.a aNo regrets?a she said to him, direct and sober.

He couldnat flat-out lie. aGiven a different world, Falcon, I would rather have married you in a church before your friends. But I do not regret the marriage.a It was enough to make her smile. Soon they sat to their meal, divided by large amounts of very welcome food.

It seemed almost inappropriate to be so hungry at such a time, but life marched on in the midst of even the most extraordinary events.

Clarissa considered it unfortunate that the chairs had been placed at either end of the table. It put five feet between them. All the same, they were alone, and in a more steadily intimate situation than theyad ever been.

And, by some miracle, on their way to their wedding.

With only one bed for the night.

Her heartbeat was already fast, but she was willing to wait for the first seductive moves.

Hawk poured wine into her glass and indicated the plates. aItas probably best if we help ourselves.a Though shead honestly claimed hunger, now she wasnat sure she could eat, but she took a chicken breast and some vegetables, then sipped her wine, watching him in the pool of lamplight.

It touched gold in his hair and picked out the handsome lines of his face and the elegance of his hands. Was it kind to her? A flutter of uncertainty at her appearance started inside. The small mirror had told her that neatness, as usual, had totally escaped her. Perhaps she should have asked to borrow his comb. Head used it to restore his usual elegance.

Then he looked up, and something heated danced in his eyes that smoothed the flutter away. He raised his glass to her. aTo our future. May it be all you deserve.a She raised her own. aAnd all you deserve, too.a As she sipped, she saw a twitch of expression.

aHawk! Donat you think you deserve happiness?a aYou forget. Any future is built on the past.a It was as if Deveril were trying to bully his way into the room. She should tell him before he committed himselfa But she thrust it away. aTonight, canat we forget about the past?a aThe past is always beneath our feet. Without it, we walk on nothing.a aPerhaps without it, we fly.a And he smiled as if the shadows fled. aPerhaps we do, wise Falcon. Perhaps we do. Eat. Youall regret it later if you donat.a aAdvice from experience?a she asked, but she cut into the tender chicken and made herself eat a mouthful. Then she discovered that she was hungry, and she ate a few more forkfuls of food in silence.

aSee?a he said, his lips twitching.

Lamentably, she flicked a piece of bean at him.

He caught it in his mouth. aArmy tricks. Never waste food.a They laughed together and she thought, friend.

Shead had friends at school, some of whom shead felt close to, but shead never felt as she did about Hawk. She didnat know how to say ita"it seemed almost childisha" but it was a warm glow near her heart. Something steady and dependable. Unlike the rather frantic burning of her love.

She talked a bit about Miss Malloryas and he shared some of his time at his school, Abingdon.

aVan, Con, and I went to different schools,a he said.

aDifferent family traditions. And I think our families thought a little variety would be good for us. Part of the purpose of schooling is to make useful connections, after all.a aDid you enjoy it?a aTime away from the manor was always pleasant.a She sensed a hard truth being delivered. aWe wonat let your father destroy our happiness, Hawk.a aI pray not.a But he didnat seem to believe it.

She chattered for a while about Brighton matters, but something was disturbing that warm glow of friendship like a chill draft playing on a candle flame.

They might as well talk of serious matters. aHow long will it take us to get to Scotland?a aThree days, with good speed.a aCan we elude pursuit?a He pushed away his plate still half full. He hadnat touched it for some time. aI hope so. Van doubtless has murder on his mind.a He picked up the decanter of claret. aMore wine?a She wasnat used to a lot of wine and had already drunk two glasses, but she accepted more. aHeall never catch us on this route.a aIt will be luck if he does. He does, however, have amazing luck.a He shrugged and filled his own glass. aWeall be in London tomorrow and can arrange some disguise and then speed north.a She looked down at her stained and muddy dress. aIall treasure this dress, though. It has very special memories.a That flicked her mind to something else. aDo you know, during the journey Iave been thinking about the horrible Mrs. Rowland. I know her from somewhere.a aWhere?a he asked, eyes suddenly alert. aIs there anything else to the feeling? Any connection?a She laughed. aAlways the Hawk! It wasnat anything dire or suspicious. Just curious. I wish I could pin it down.a Head relaxed again, but she thought his eyes still seemed intent. Head told her he couldnat resist a mystery, and it seemed to be true. She was definitely right to be binding him.

aWell, then,a he said, awhere might you have met her?a aThatas it. I have no idea. You have to understand, Hawk, I havenat led a very adventurous life.a He laughed, and she protested, aI havenat! Things have happened to me recently, but most of my life has been positively boring. The only place I might have met her was last year in London.a aMore or less at the time of Waterloo, when Lieutenant Rowland was in Belgium fighting and being wounded. It would be strange if his wife and children were in London then.a aAnd Iam sure I never encountered a Belgianwoman. I was restricted to fashionable circles, and rarely escaped my motheras eye.a She shook her head. aItas probably a mistake. Some people look like others.a aBut you arenat confusing her with someone else, are you?a She could only shrug. That faint sense of recognition was becoming less substantial by the minute. The talk had passed some time, but she was no longer interested.

aNever mind,a he said, one finger stroking the long stem of his glass. It reminded her of his stroking of Jetta, and of how very much she wanted him to be stroking her.

She couldnat bear it. She stood and carried her wineglass around to his side of the table.

Their eyes locked for a moment, and then he pushed back his chair, inviting her to sit on his lap. An invitation she took, heart racing, heat surging through her.

It must be the wine, but it was magical.

aAnother adventure,a she said, adjusting herself and looping her free hand around his neck. aIave never sat on a manas lap before.a aAs usual, you get the idea very quickly.a He accepted her daring kiss, then one hand rose to cradle the back of her head. His lips opened and she settled, melted, into a deep joining.

After a languorous time, their mouths parted and he whispered, aDo I want to know what other adventures you have planned?a aPlan?a she said, exploring his jaw, his ear with her lips. aIam a creature of impulse.a aHeaven protect me. What impulse drives you?a aI think you know.a He moved her apart a little. aClarissa, I promised Van that I wouldnat seduce you.a aI didnat promise anything.a She swooped in for another kiss, but he held her away. His face was flushed, his breathing unsteady. aI think perhaps youare unaccustomed to wineaa aNot that unaccustomed.a She cradled his face, feeling the roughness of a dayas beard on his cheeks. aWhy wait? What if they do manage to stop us?a aThen it would be better.a aOr our marriage would be essential.a He captured her hands and held them away. aClarissaa"a aThereas only one bed. Where are you going to sleep?a aOn the floor. Iave done it before.a aYouave eloped before?a she teased.

The look in his eyes filled her with a sense of extraordinary power. She could hardly believe that she was doing thisa"trying to seduce a man. She, Clarissa, the plain one that no man ever looked twice at.

But she was, and she was winning, and it didnat seem so extraordinary, so ridiculous. She could feel it in his hands, still controlling her wrists, and see it in his eyes. She could sense it in the very air around them.

His scarce-checked desire.

For her.

For her.

aWhat would you do if I started to undress here, in front of you?a His eyes closed with what looked like pain.

aYouad like it?a she asked, astonished to hear it come out in an almost Jetta-like purr.

aWould I like to be burned to a cinder?a aWell, would you?a His lids lifted, heavily. aItas every manas deepest longing.a That might be teasing, but she knew it went deeper than that. It was hunger.

She leaned forward, letting him keep control of her hands, to brush her lips across his. aMake love to me tonight, Hawk. It is my deepest longing.a His lips moved beneath hers for a moment, then slid away. aWhat if you change your mind, if you decide you donat want to marry me?a aYou think I will be so disappointed?a she teased.

He avoided her lips again. aClarissa, Iam trying to be noble, dammit. If anything prevents our marriage, youad be ruined.a aAre you saying you wonat marry me?a aNo. But you may change your mind.a aYou forget. Iam in love with your house.a He laughed, and rolled his head back, eyes closed. aThink. You might get with child.a She nibbled down his neck. aSo, Iall be the even more scandalous Devilas Heiress. I donat care.a aThe child might.a aThen Iall buy it a father. But, Hawk, I want you. Nothing is going to change my mind. I love you.a His lids lifted, heavily. aYou said you loved my home.a aAnd you. If Slade tears down Hawkinville Manor, I will still love you. But he wonat do that. We are on our way to our wedding to prevent it.a He swallowed. She felt it.

aDo you feel your feet sliding, Falcon?a he said softly. aLove only greases the path. It doesnat promise a safe landing.a aSome paths lead to heaven.a aDownward?a She chuckled and moved her lips downward, nuzzling at the edge of his collar. aIt would seem soaa Dimly, somewhere far away in the house, a clock began to chime. She decided to kiss his neck and jaw for each chime, and ended at ten. aTen fathoms deep,a she breathed against his skin.

He released her hand to hold her off at the shoulders. aI surrender to the depths.a Triumphant, sizzling, she relaxed away from him, and he raised her left hand to his mouth. aI give you my love and allegiance, Falcon. I swear that if this falls apart, it will be at your desire, not mine.a aThen it will never fall apart.a He slid her from his knee to lead her to the bed.

aElectricity,a she said.

aLightning.a aYes.a She knew she was blushing, but she didnat mind. Despite The Annals of Aphrodite, she was unclear about what was going to happen here, but she didnat mind that either.

She simply waited, for Hawk.

He raised his hands to her hair, which she knew was a mess. aI suppose your maid arranged this carefully this morning. Does that seem a very long time ago?a aA mere century or two.a aAnd the destruction is considerable.a Pins fell to the floor, and his fingers threaded into her curls. aBut it is rioting, tempestuous hair, like its owner.a His eyes met hers. aAnd as lovely.a aYou like storm and riot?a aVery much.a He raised her hair and let it fall. aIt catches the lamplight in a net of fire.a He lowered his hands and turned her to the bed. It was set high, and steps stood ready for them to climb into it. Should she take off her clothes yet, or would he do that for her?

He dropped her hand to pull off the buttercup-yellow coverlet. Meticulously, he folded it and put it on the chest that sat at the base of the bed. Then he folded down the other covers, exposing a large expanse of pure white sheet The precise preparations stirred a pang of panic. aWonat I bleed?a aThe people here must suspect what is going on. If it bothers you, we can stop now.a aOh, no.a Then she plunged into honesty. aItas just that this suddenly frightens me, but in the spiciest way. Does that make sense?a He put his hands on her waist and lifted her to sit on the high bed. aOf course. It frightens me, too. Because I want it too much.a He was looking into her eyes as if searching for doubts, for retreat. She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him.

He laughed, broke free. aStay there.a He went to pile the remains of their meal on the tray, then put it outside the door.

aYou think of everything,a she said, and heard a touch of a pout in it.

He came back toward her. aThat is my reputation.a He went to his knees and began to unlace her right half boot.

Clarissa sat there, feeling slightly like a child, but at his touch, intensely woman. Keen anticipation suddenly swirled inside her.

And impatience.

aI feel,a she said, looking down at his bent head, athat at a moment like this I should be wearing satin slippers, not muddy shoes.a aAt least theyare leather.a He put the right one on the floor and began on the left. aThe mud and water donat seem to have soaked through to your stockings.a She flexed the toes of her liberated right foot. Her daisy-embroidered stockings were pretty, but sturdy. aI should be wearing silk stockings, too.a He glanced up, smiling. aFor a day in the country? Iad think you a flighty piece.a aYou donat think me a flighty piece?a He discarded her left boot. aHmmmm. Now that you come to speak of itaa He began to slide his hands up her leg beneath her skirts, making her stir and catch her breath.

aIs thisa is this the way itas usually done?a aWhat?a He met her eyes, but his hands continued to move up.

aIs the gentleman supposed to remove a ladyas shoes and stockings? Is that part of it?a His lips twitched. aAre you going to analyze every step?a aThis is a very important experience for me, you know.a aYes, I think I know that.a His hands found her garter, and undid the knot by feel, sending the most extraordinary feelings up the inside of her thigh.

aThere are a thousand ways to make love, Clarissa. Doubtless more. If this was our wedding night, I might have left you with your maid to undress and get into bed, then joined you later.a He looked down again, and pushing her skirts up to her knee, rolled down her stocking.

aI bought those yesterday,a she said softly. aWith you in mind.a aAnd they are much appreciated.a His voice seemed suddenly husky, and she couldnat contain a smile, even though her heart was beating so deeply she wondered if she might faint.

Dazedly, she watched her pale leg reveal itself. Doubts stirred. It was a very ordinary leg.