He sat up equally brazenly, completely splendid, tousled, smiling.

aCarnal lust,a she murmured, and made herself turn away to search for her shift, her corset, and her lamentably muddy stockings.

When she looked back he was already into his drawers. aI wish I had a clean dress to wear.a aWeall find you one in London. Much though Iad like to linger here, beloved, wead best have breakfast and be on our way.a Awareness of the world, of pursuit, drained delight.

She hurried into her shift and corset, then went to him to have the strings tied. A sweet and simple task, and yet to have a man tie her laces seemed a mark of the complete change in her life.

As he tied the bow, she turned in his hands and started what must be done. aI was present when Lord Deveril died,a she said, intent on his expression.

It hardly seemed to change at all. aI guessed.a aHow? Why?a aPerhaps because Iam the Hawk.a But his lashes lowered as if that might not be the whole truth.

She put that aside. aI need to tell you about it. I should have before, but I couldnat until now. Youall see why.a His eyes were steady on her again. aVery well. But you wanted clothing and cool?a She hurried to put on her dress and stockings, though she had to hunt for her second garter. He was dressed by then, and she went to him to have her buttons fastened. As he did the last one, he brushed her hair aside and she felt heat, wet heat, up the back of her neck.

aWhen I saw you in this dress, Falcon, you made me think of dairy cream, and I wanted to lick you.a She laughed and turned, pushing him playfully away. Something she could do when she knew there would be tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Even, perhaps, later. Theyad clearly eluded any pursuit. There was no real need to rush on to London.

Once her conscience was clear.

She sat on the rather hard chair at one end of the table and indicated that he should sit on the other, at a safe distance. His brows rose, but he obeyed.

aYou were present at Deverilas death,a he said obligingly. aI assume he was doing something vile and his death was deserved. I also assume that you did not kill him, but if you did it would only make me admire you more.a She bit her lip on tears at his understanding.

aYou donat have to tell me any more, Falcon. It really doesnat matter.a She smiled. aBut I want to. I have many failings, and one is an incurable urge toward honesty.a aI donat see that as a failing, beloved.a And yet something somber touched him.

Beloved. She plunged into it. aI donat need to tell you that Deveril was an evil man. After he kissed me, I ran away from him.a aWhen you threw up over him.a aYes. Perhaps I should have been able to control myself betteraa aNot at all. We use what weapons we have to hand.a She laughed. aI see what you mean. It certainly stopped him! Well, then, I escaped through the window in my brotheras clothes, but Deveril hunted me down and caught me ata at a friendas house.a Even now she faltered about telling him everything. aHe had two men with him, so we couldnat do anything, and he threateneda He was going to do horrible things to us both, but he was going to kill my friend. Soa he was killed.a She paused for breath and pulled a face. aThat wasnat much of a tale, was it?a aIt does rather skip the who, the where, and especially the howa"which I admit fascinates me. But I understand, and you bear no guilt.a aYou wonat feel obliged to pursue justice about it?a He reached a hand across the table. aWhat is justice here? I award your noble defender the medal.a She put her hand in his, knots untangling that shead hardly been aware of. aI knew you would think like that. Iam sorry, Hawk, deeply sorry, that I didnat tell you everything before.a aBefore?a aBefore we committed ourselves.a He tugged, and she understood and went to sit in his lap, to be in his arms. aThere is no shame in this, Falcon. But I confess to Hawkish curiosity. About the how, and how it was concealed.a aThe how comes mostly from Deverilas being taken by surprise. And from reinforcements.a She reached out to touch a silver button on his jacket. aIam not sure how much else I can tell, even to you.a She looked up. aThere are secrets we are bound not to share. Does that apply to husband and wife?a aNot if it affects both husband and wife. But take time, love. Our only urgency now is to eat and be on our way.a aI long for complete honesty between us,a she said. aOn all things. But would you tell me something truly secret that Lord Vandeimen shared with you?a He thought for a moment. aI might not.a He touched her cheek. aDo what you think is best, love. I trust you.a Trust. It was like a perfect golden rose. She sat up slightly and faced him. aThen I have to tell you one thing, Hawk. I did not behave at all like a Falcon last year. I was frozen with fear. Paralyzed. I did nothing. And afterwarda Afterward, afterward I was heartless to the one who saved me. Shocked because others werenat shockeda"a He put his fingers over her lips. aHush. It was your first battle. Few of us are heroes the first time out. I threw up after mine.a His understanding was so perfect. She took his face between her hands and kissed him, without words to express the wholeness that she felt.

She drew back at a tumultuous pealing of church bells. aIs it Sunday and I didnat notice?a she asked.

aNot unless weave spent days in heaven instead of just one night. And itas very early for a wedding.a Hawk eased Clarissa off his lap and went to open the door. There were many innocent explanations for the bells, but his instinct for danger was at the alert.

It could be nothing to do with Van, surely.

A sparkle-eyed maidservant was just running up the stairs and paused to gasp, aNot to worry, sir! Itas the dukeas heir born at last and all safe! And free ale to be served in the tap in celebration!a aDuke?a Hawk asked, alarm subsiding, but trying to think what ducal estate was in the vicinity.

aBelcraven, sir! Not the dukeas heir, of course, but his heiras heir. His estate is here. A fine, handsome boy born to be duke one day, God willing, just as his father was born here twenty-six years ago!a aA true cause for celebration,a Hawk said, amazed that his voice sounded normal.

Arden here? What strange star had brought this about?

Head discovered that the marquess had a Surrey estate called Hartwell, his principal country residence. Head not troubled to find out precisely where. Details, details. It was always in the details.

aThe marquessas estate is very close?a he asked in faint hope.

aNot a mile out of the village, sir! And he and his lovely wife as easy as can be with everyone here.a She gave him a sly look. aNot like in the old days, when the company was very different, let me tell you.a aMarriage reforms many a man.a aAnd many a man it donat!a she flashed back with a grin, and hurried off on her errand. An increasing babble could be heard below.

Hawk turned slowly back into the room, rapidly absorbing the situation and the implications. Could they get away undetected? From what he knew about the Marquess of Arden, his displeasure was likely to be expressed physically and effectively.

Clarissa, however, did not seem to realize their danger. Her eyes were shining. aBethas had the baby and all is well! Sheall be somewhat put out at it being a boy, of course.a aPut out that it is a boy?a he asked, swiftly gathering their few possessions.

aShe doesnat approve of the aristocracyas obsession with male heirs.a It was sufficiently startling to make Hawk pause.

aSheas a firm believer in the equal rights of women, you see, and of a rather republican turn of mind.a aThe Marchioness of Arden?a aShe wrote that it would be bad enough having a son born to be duke without him being the eldest, too. She hoped for a few older females to keep him in line. Apparently Lord Axden was the youngest and has two older sisters, and she said that might have been the saving of him.a Hawk laughed. aVery likely. Iam sorry about breakfast, but we should be away from here. I doubt thereall be much service here soon, anyway.a aOh, I suppose so.a She unhooked her cloak, but said wistfully, aIt does seem a shame not to be able to visit Beth, being so close.a aNo,a he said firmly and guided her out of the room.

aI know. I know. And sheas doubtless resting. But it does seema A note? No,a she said for him.

aNo,a he said again as they went downstairs, wishing he could give her this small indulgence.

In the plain hall, he grabbed an excited potboy and asked him to find the landlady. People were streaming toward the inn from all directions.

aItas a bit like the Duke of Wellington, isnat it?a she said.

aI hope not.a Come on. Come on.

She turned suddenly, the scarlet cloak clasped to her. aYou said Deverilas death was justified,a she said quietly. aSo I want to tell you who killed Deveril.a Trust and honesty. Hawk wished that he could tell her now. But she could still back away. aArden,a he said, looking around for the landlady. aIt doesnat matter except that we donat want to be caught by him here.a aWhya ? But no, it wasnat the marquess.a He turned to look at her. He had given up the plan of blackmailing the marquess and duke, but even so, it was as if solid ground disappeared from beneath his feet. Had he been wrong about everything?

aIt was Blanche Hardcastle,a she whispered.

aThe actress?a It was probably the stupidest response head ever been guilty of.

aYes. I know why youare so shocked. A woman, and one who seems so delicate. But she was a butcheras daughter, apparently. And now, of course, sheas playing Lady Macbeth.a aZeus!a He wasnat actually shocked that a woman had ripped Deveril open. A man has to be dense indeed to preserve illusions about the gentler sex during wartime. For some reason, however, the image of the killer going on to play the part of the woman with the bloody knife did outrage him.

Clarissa was looking at him slightly anxiously, and he was relieved to be able to say with honesty, aMrs. Hardcastle is in no danger from me, Falcon. I salute her.a Wryly he acknowledged, however, that head held a sharper weapon than head known. Belcraven and Arden might well have called his bluff, secure that if he did seek a Pyrrhic victory, they stood behind high walls of power and privilege. An actress, however, was another matter entirely. An actress with a somewhat dubious past would hang for the bloody murder of a peer.

aYou see, donat you,a she said slightly anxiously, athat Blanche must never suffer for her gallantry. She took hima she took him up to her bed to get him away from his guardsa She was so brave.a aI see. Donat worry about this.a She smiled, a hint of tears in it again. aIam so glad I told you. I feel truly free now. Free to be happy.a a aAnd ye shall know the truth,a a said Hawk, a aand the truth shall set you free.a a He teetered on the edge of taking the great gamble, of trusting to her love, to the magic theyad shared. She did love Hawkinville. She did love him. If that survived the strain. But years of caution tied his tongue. What if he was wrong?

Head heard of men sentenced to death spinning out the moments with one slim excuse or another, against all reason delaying the inevitable. Now, at last, he understood.

Another moment of her untarnished admiration and trusta Then a tall, athletic blond man strode into the inn smiling, gloves and crop in hand. Hawk knew instantly, fatally, who it must be. Pre-ducal arrogance radiated from every pore.

People rushed forward to bow, to congratulate. Then the smiling gaze hit Clarissa, moved to Hawk, and changed.

No chance of escape. Hawk put Clarissa behind him as the marquess smiled again, escaped his well-wishers, and came over to them, cold murder in his eyes.

Clarissa, however, slipped around him. aCongratulations on the baby, Lord Arden.a Damnation, she was trying to protect him, and he could hear the fear in her voice. Arden would never hit a woman, but Hawk pulled her back to his side.

Arden, however, softened to concern when he looked at her. aThank you. Clarissaa"a aI do hope Beth is well,a she interrupted, a tone too high.

aBeth is a great deal weller than is seemly.a The marquessas voice took on an exasperated edge. aThe baby was born at four in the morning, but the mother is already out of her bed and well enough to fight the midwife about the need to lie down, and me about the appropriate establishment for a future Duke of Belcraven. Having lost a nightas sleep and years of my life, I wouldnat mind even a few hours in bed, never mind a week of rest and loving attention, but how can I even sit down and try to recover when Beth is bustling about? And now I find this!a At the return of fury, Hawk expected Clarissa to falter, but her chin went up. aAre you planning to hit someone again?a Color flared in Ardenas cheeks. aProbably.a aTypical!a Hawk forced Clarissa behind him. aDid he hit you before?a By Hades, head take Arden apart!

aNo!a Her hands clamped around his right arm, and he realized his hands were fists. And so were Ardenas, though he looked more startled than enraged.

Then Arden looked at Clarissa, eyes narrowing. aStop trying to deflect the conversation.a And he was right. Clever Clarissa.

aDonat you think we should move this into privacy?a A new voice. Hawk looked behind Arden and saw that Con had come into the inn. And that a bunch of villagers were sucking in every word.

Con was standing at the door to a small room. Hawk took Clarissa in there, feeling something sizzle and die.

Con had come in pursuit and somehow managed to be close. Being in the area, head sought a bed with his friend, which must have been interesting when it turned out to be a night of accouchement. Now they were discovered, and surely Conas steady eyes were disappointed.

Perhaps worried, too. About the role head have to play?

Second at a duel? He wouldnat let it come to that.

If only, though, head seized the moment to tell Clarissa the truth.

Arden strode in, and Con closed the door. aWant to explain, Hawk?a He stayed close to Arden. A show of support, or readiness to control violent impulses?

Clarissa replied before Hawk could. aWeare eloping, Lord Amleigh. What need of explanation?a aWhy would be a start,a Arden said.

Silence fell, and then Clarissa looked at Hawk. aTell him why.a She was clearly confident that he could.

Hawk smiled wryly, and looked at Con rather than Arden, seeing the firm resolve of an executioner. It wasnat a matter of Rogues versus the Georges for Con. It was simply the right thing to do.

Slippery slopes. From right to wrong as well as from virtue to sin.

aWhy, Hawk?a Con asked. It wasnat a repetitive demand for an answer, but an opening offered so that he could tell Clarissa rather than have someone else do it.

So he turned to her and put the noose around his own neck.

Chapter Twenty-four.

aBecause,a he said, aif I try to marry you in the ordinary way, you wonat do it.a She blinked at him. aI wonat?a aYou wonat.a It was Ardenas voice, cold and relentless.

Her eyes flicked to him, then back to Hawk, and she smiled slightly, as if any impediment was a laughing matter. aTell me, then. It canat be as bad as you think.a aIt is, Falcon.a He took a last breath and kicked away the stool. aMy father was born a Gaspard. You may not know, but that was Lord Deverilas family name. After much effort, he has managed to establish his claim to be the next Lord Deveril. And I, of course, am his heir.a In a way it sounded silly put into words. No hanging matter at all. Just a name, as Van had said.

But it was more than a name.

And just at the name, she paled. aDeveril!a aWhich means,a said Arden moving to her side, as if protecting her from him, damn it, ayou would have one day been Lady Deveril.a The tense he used neatly put an end to all hope, and when Arden put his arm around her, she did not resist. She did, however, stammer, aButaa confusion in her eyes.

aAs you see,a the marquess continued, his eyes suggesting that he was talking to a slug, athis raises questions about Major Hawkinvilleas attentions all along.a aLuce,a said Con quietly, moving between them. aThereas more to this than that.a aIs there?a Arden asked, his eyes still on Hawk.

aYes.a Everyone else in the room spoke at once, and the shock of it broke the tension. Clarissa laughed, then bit her lip, eyes still shadowed by shock and uncertainty. She pulled free of Arden, but made no move closer to Hawk.

This had snatched away her elusive beauty. All he wanted in life was to make Clarissa beautiful, each and every day, and yet by his actions he had doubtless thrown away the chance.

He spoke to her alone, without hope. aMy father thought he should have inherited Deverilas wealth along with the title, and he spent in expectation of it. Thatas where the debt came from. I sought you out looking for evidence that you were involved in Deverilas murder because then the will would be overturned and the new viscounta"my fathera"would inherit the money.a aYou thought me a murderer! I suppose in some ways I should be flattered.a aClarissaaa But her hand covered her mouth. aIave just given you the evidence.a aYou have?a Arden asked, sharply.

aI told him everything. Just as he planned.a aNo!a Hawk exclaimed, but there seemed nothing left to pin hopes to except honesty. aAt the beginning, yes.a aDo I have to slap you with my gloves?a Arden asked coldly. aIad have to burn them afterward.a aNot now!a Hawk commanded, aware of Clarissaas sudden pallor. aCona"a He put his hand on her arm to push her toward Con, but she twitched away. aDonat try and get rid of me! Donat you dare! Any of you. Iam not a child.a She whirled on Arden. aYou are not to fight over me.a aYou have no say in this.a aI demand a say. I insist on it.a When Arden stayed tight-lipped and resolute, she said, aIf you duel him, Iall shoot you.a aClarissa,a said Hawk, wanting to laugh and cry at once. aIam sure you donat know how.a aIt canat be so hard as all that.a She stared at him, eyes brimming with tears. aYou said it was an honorable act for someone to kill Deveril. How could you even think of destroying people over it? Even for Hawkinville.a aI didnat.a aThen what drove you?a aThe will,a he snapped. aForgery is hardly cloaked with honor, Clarissa, no matter how you care to deceive yourself.a She stared at him and the elusive truth dawned even as she whirled to face Arden.

aIt was a forgery!a She laughed. aOf course it was. How very stupid Iave been. Deverila"Deveril!a"leaving me all his money. Head have rather left it to the Crown, or scattered it in the streets if it comes to that.a She suddenly struck out at the marquess with both fists, pummeling him.

Arden stepped back, and before Hawk could reach her, he grasped her wrists and spun her to face him. aHit him if youare feeling violent. Heas the villain of the piece.a She staggered forward, weeping, and Hawk caught her, held her for a precious moment. aI have committed no crime.a Except breaking a heart.

aAbduction, for a start,a Arden said.

aStop.a Con took Clarissa from Hawk, keeping an arm around her. She wasnat crying, but she seemed ready to collapse. aThereall be no duel,a Con said, in an officeras unquestionable voice, aand no violence.a Then he looked at Arden with a frown. aI gather criminal acts are not to be shared among the Rogues these days.a The marquess looked to be at the end of his tether. aNot lightly, no. And you came back from Waterloo in a bad way. We werenat about to add to your burdens.a Con pulled a face and sat Clarissa in a chair. He went to his haunches in front of her. aWhat do you want to do?a She looked at him, pallid, then up at Hawk. aI want to arrange to give the money to the new Lord Deveril.a Arden took a step toward her. aDonat be foolish.a Without looking, Con put a hand out to stop him. aIt will be as Clarissa wishes.a aOn Hawkinvilleas side, I see,a said Arden coldly.

Con was steady as a rock. aIt is Clarissaas choice. That has been decided.a It seemed to stop Ardenas fight, but he said, aPerhaps sheall see sense when the shockas worn off.a aDo I have any say?a Hawk interrupted.

They all looked at him, but he spoke to Clarissa. aHawkinville only needs some of the moneya"a aDamn your eyes!a Arden exploded. aHow much filthy money do you need?a Hawk faced him. aLegally, the money belongs to my father. But twenty thousand pounds will suffice.a The arrogant disdain was designed to annihilate. aI will provide it for you on agreement that you leave Clarissa in peace.a There was nothing left but icy invulnerability. aWithin the week?a Hawk inquired.

aWithin the week.a Clarissa started to say something, but Arden overrode her. aWe can discuss your situation later. Come along now. Beth will want to take care of you.a aBut the babyaa aIs not enough to tax my Amazon.a He turned to Con, acting as if Hawk was not there. aComing?a aNo. Iall deal with Hawk.a aHe canat be allowed to harm Blanche.a aHe wonat.a aOf course I wonat,a Hawk snapped. Arden had drawn Clarissa to her feet, but she looked stricken still. aClarissa, you donat have to go.a It was a faint hope, and her blankness denied it. She made no protest as the marquess took her out of the room, but then she suddenly stopped.

Hawk watched in faint beating hope as she turned back. She pulled off the two rings and put them on a table against the wall. And then she was gone.

Hawk was left with Con and could collapse into a chair and put his head in his hands. aIave known battles that have been easier.a aIam sure you have.a aShe was innocent,a Hawk said, to himself as much as to Con. aAll along, she was completely innocent.a And thus his treatment of her had been atrocious from first moment to now. Head hunted down a sheltered young woman whoad been forced into an engagement with a depraved man. Shead been abused, terrified, threatened, and then witness to his bloody murder.

Arden was right. He deserved to be shot.

aYouare not totally the villain, you know,a Con said in a steadying voice.

Hawk looked up. aOh, please, explain why not.a aYou canat let Slade rape Hawk in the Vale.a aSo I rape Clarissa instead.a aI am sure you did not.a Hawk sighed. aNo, but Iave used her shamefully.a aLast night was unwise, but understandable. And you planned to marry her.a Con smiled a little. aIf you wish, you can lay most of it at the Roguesa door. We came up with the forgery.a aYou werenat even there.a aAll the same.a aAh,a said Hawk, suddenly wracked by a weariness he hadnat felt since Waterloo, since after Waterloo with the chaos and the wounded and the mounds and sweeps of bodies and body parts so that victory, for the moment, was valueless. So one only wanted to turn back time for a few brief days to restore life and joy to the thousands of dead, and to their families still to hear the news, and then change history so that such battles never happened again.

Events, however, are written in ink the moment they occur, and cannot be erased.

aIn that case,a Hawk said, standing and beginning to pull together what was left of his life, acan I ask you to deal with Arden about this? A duel, though I can understand his feelings, would serve no one. You can assure him that I will do nothing to endanger Mrs. Hardcastle or anyone else involved in Deverilas death. For the sake of Hawk in the Vale, however, I must take his money. In strict honor, I should not let the matter of the forgery go.a Con rubbed his chin thoughtfully. aNicholas arrived at Somerford Court yesterday. You know who I mean? Nicholas Delaney? Apparently his Aunt Arabella summoned him to Brighton.a aArabella Hurstman? Good God, a Rogue dragon as well. I was doomed.a aIam afraid so, but since she was largely kept in the dark, I think the doom will fall on us. But when Van explained about the Deveril title, we agreed immediately that the money had been improperly redirected.a A crack of laughter escaped Hawk. aNow thatas a way to describe forgery. And a damn good forgery, too.a aBut of course,a said Con with a smile. aYou have to understand that everyone, including Deveril himself, thought he was heirless. The money was going to buy the Regent another gold plate or two, and without money, Clarissaas situation was desperate. You may not know, but Nicholas has an interest in that money. It was originally gathered by a woman called Therese Bellairea"a Con must have caught a reaction. aThat name means something?a aOh, yes,a said Hawk with another laugh. The debacle was beginning to take on an absurd humor. aI recruited Delaney for that job. He must be enjoying this turn of the wheel.a aNot particularly. But at least I donat need to dance around the details. The Bellaire woman gathered the money from Bonapartist supporters. She was supposed to take it to France to be ready for Napoleonas return. Instead she planned a new life in America. Nicholas distracted her sufficiently that Deveril was able to steal it.a aGad. And she didnat kill him then and there?a aShe was, as I said, distracted. And by then, England was not safe for her. But Nicholas could hardly be happy leaving that money with a man like Deveril. When Clarissaas affair erupted, it was simply too good a chance to pass up.a Still swimming in lunatic humor, Hawk asked, aI wonder what happened to Therese Bellaire? She managed to work her way back into Napoleonas inner circle, you know, but Waterloo must have ended her hopes.a aI pray thatas true. Iam sure sheas never forgotten or forgiven any of this. I remember her. Honeyed poison. But the forgery was done under the assumption that no one had a better claim. Right is on your fatheras side and the money should be his. We agree on that, but Clarissaas situation makes matters difficult.a Hawk sighed. aI donat want all the money, Con.a aFifty fifty,a Con suggested.

Hawk laughed. aI see. You were sent here with power to negotiate, were you? How does Delaney plan to get around her guardian and trustees?a aThe Rogues can raise that much money until Clarissa comes of age. If she insists on having it all, so be it.a Hawk pressed his hands to his face. aOn whatas left of my honor, Iad not take a penny if it werenat for the people of Hawk in the Vale.a aI know that.a He pulled himself together. aI need the twenty, and I have to take a bit more for Gaspard Hall. Not for the place itself, and certainly not for my father, but for the people there. Something needs to be done to correct the decades of neglect. The Deveril tenants are probably the most innocent victims of all. But I want Clarissa to have the rest. Try to persuade her of that.a Con nodded. aShe may not be willing to take anything now.a aI wish to heaven Iad never let that slip, but I didnat knowa" I should have known. She should have the money, but if sheas difficult, point out that if the Devilas Heiress turns suddenly poor it would raise awkward questions.a They were talking so calmly of the future. The future with Hawkinville, perhaps even with his father at Gaspard Hall.

But a future without Clarissa.

Unendurable, except that like a soldier with a shattered leg, he had no choice but to endure the amputation and thena"if that was Godas choicea"limp on.

aAre you all right?a Con asked.

With Con he could let the exasperation show. aNo, of course not! Iam stuck in hell. Some of it is my own fault, but most of it isnat. Itas my fatheras, and Sladeas, and Deverilas, and your damned Roguesa. Itas like being under the control of an insane and inept commanding officer who sends his men marching straight into a battery of enemy guns. And thereas nothing, absolutely nothing, one can do but march.a Con, who had doubtless been in that situation, pulled a face. aWhat will you do now?a aMarch back to Hawk in the Vale and arrange to pay off Slade. What else?a Con nodded. aNicholas would probably like to talk to you about this.a Hawk wanted nothing to do with the man, but he would go where the insanity sent him. aWe didnat part on good terms back in a14, and Iam not sure Iam in the mood to be conciliating.a aHeall cope.a Hawk looked around and picked up the rings. aI knew my motheras ring was a bad omen.a He put them in his pocket, then turned to go. But he stopped. aDammit. I need to write to her.a He had to hunt down the innkeeper to get paper, pen, and inka"a slightly bosky innkeeper, who gave him a very suspicious look. Then he went back to the bedroom, out of Conas sight, though he didnat suppose his friend would be able to tell anything from simply looking at him as he wrote.

A wounded animal seeking a hole in which to lick its wounds.

There was no lasting privacy in any of this, however.

It was going to have to be acted out on an open stage. Could he mitigate things for her?

Writing was part of his expertise. Writing clearly, precisely, and succinctly so the recipient would understand the information or instruction without delay. Now, the blank sheet of paper was as daunting as a well-armed garrison, impossible to conquer.

He shrugged and dipped the rather unpromising pen. No words were going to create a miracle here, but he could not ride away without at least expressing himself clearly.

Honestly.

Yes, at this point at least he had honesty, with all its sharp tangs.

My dear Clarissaa Then he wished head said aFalcon.a No, it was better as it was. Or perhaps he should have written aMiss Greystone.a Perhaps he had better be more careful, or less particular. Head been able to acquire only one sheet of paper, and he could hardly keep Con waiting for hours as he tried to form a miracle. He must also phrase this so it would not cause disaster if it fell into the wrong hands.