It seemed a lavish amount of space for two peoplea" but then there was also the lady hired to be chaperone and guide to society, a Miss Hurstman. Clarissa had been somewhat surprised that the lady was a spinster rather than a widow, but she had no doubt that the ELK would have chosen the very best. The lady had been described as athoroughly cognizant of the ways of polite society and connected to all the best families.a The ELK had also arranged for a ladyas maid and a footman in addition to the staff that came with the house. Clarissa had chuckled over this entourage, but in truth it made her nervous. In her parentsa penny-pinched household, one overworked upstairs maid had had to attend to the house and play ladyas maid as well.

In fact, she was still rather uncomfortable with all the lavish spending, especially when she didnat really feel she deserved Deverilas money. Shead loathed the man, and it was only a quirk in the wording of his will that had led to her inheriting it. At least there was no one else entitled. When shead expressed her doubts, shead been told that head died without an heir. Without the will, the money would all have gone to the Crown.

To provide more gilded onion domes, perhaps, she thought, catching a glimpse of the Prince Regentas astonishing Pavilion. She couldnat wait to visit it, but she couldnat regret not having funded it.

She couldnat regret any of this, and in part that was because of the secret anticipation of meeting Major Hawkinville again. Shead discouraged Althea from talking about him, pretending that he was of little interest, but now, as the carriage rolled along the Marine Parade, the sea on one side and tall stuccoed buildings on the other, she surreptitiously fingered the oblong card that shead tucked into the pocket of her simple traveling dress.

Hawk in the Vale, Sussex. Shead looked it up in a gazetteer. It lay about six miles out of the town. Not far, but perhaps he didnat visit here very often.

Or perhaps he did.

Perhaps they wouldnat meet. Perhaps when they did she would find him less fascinating, or he would not be interested in her.

Or perhaps not.

After all, if he was a fortune hunter he would find her and pay her assiduous attentions.

She did hope so!

The gazetteer had mentioned his home, Hawkinville Manor, an ancient walled house with the remains of an earlier medieval defense. Picturesque, the author had sniffed, but of no particular architectural elegance.

Would she see it one day?

Then she noticed the attention they were attracting. A number of tonnish people were turning to watch the grand coach and outriders pass along the seafront, ladies and gentleman raising quizzing glasses to study it. Mischievously, Clarissa waved, and Althea pulled her back, laughing.

aBehave yourself!a aOh, very well. Did you see the bathing machines drawn into the water? I intend to sea-bathe.a aIt looks horribly cold to me, and they say men watch, with telescopes.a aDo they? But then, men bathe too, donat they? I wonder where one buys a telescope.a Altheaas eyes went wide with genuine shock. aClarissa!a Clarissa suppressed a grin. She loved Althea like the sister she had never had, but like sisters, they were different. Althea would never feel the wild curiosity and impatience that itched in Clarissa. She didnat understand.

But Clarissa knew she had to control that part of her. It would be hard enough to be accepted by society. For Altheaas sake, there must be no hint of scandal.

The coach began to turn, and she looked up to see the words aBroad Streeta painted on the wall. aAt last. Weare here.a aOh, good. Itas been a long journey, though it seems ungrateful to complain of such luxury.a aAnd not a highwayman to be seen.a aPraise heaven!a Althea exclaimed, and Clarissa hid her smile.

Despite its name, the street was not very wide, and the massive coach took up a great deal of it. The terraced houses on either side were three stories high, and with bay windows all the way up. All that stood between the house and the road, however, was a short flight of stairs and a railed enclosure around steps down to the basement servantsa area.

Clarissa had glimpsed even narrower streets nearby, however, and knew this was indeed grand by Brighton standards.

The coach rocked to a stop outside number 8, an ELKishly perfect house, with sparkling windows, lace curtains, and bright yellow paint on the woodwork. The door opened to reveal an ELKish housekeeper, too. Plump and cherry-cheeked.

One of the outriders opened the door and let down the steps, then assisted them from the coach. Clarissa went toward the house feeling rather like a lost princess finally finding her palace.

aGood afternoon, ladies,a said the housekeeper, curtsying. aWelcome to Brighton! Iam Mrs. Taddy, and I hope you will feel perfectly at home here.a Home.

Clarissa walked into a narrow but welcoming hall with a tile floor, white-painted woodwork, and a bowl of fresh flowers on a table. Home was a singularly elusive concept, but this would do for a while; indeed it would.

aThis is lovely,a she said to the woman, but then found that Mrs. Taddy was looking at Althea, also assuming that she was the heiress. What a powerful impression clothes made.

aIam Miss Greystone,a she said with a smile, as if merely introducing herself, aand this is my friend, Miss Trist.a She covered the housekeeperas fluster with some idle comments about Brightonas beauty, wondering where their chaperone was.

aAh, youave arrived,a a brusque voice barked. aCome into the front parlor. Weall have tea.a Clarissa turned to the woman standing in a doorway. It couldnat be!

She was middle-aged, with a weather-beaten face and sharp, dark eyes. Her graying hair was scraped back into a bun unsoftened by a cap, and her gown was even plainer than Clarissaas simple blue cambric.

aDonat gawk! Iam Arabella Hurstman, your guide to depravity.a The ELK must have run demented. This woman could never gain them entree to fashionable Brighton!

aIall bring tea, maaam,a said Mrs. Taddy to no one in particular and hurried away. Clarissa felt tempted to go with her, but Miss Hurstman commanded them into the room.

It was small but pretty, with pale walls and a flowered carpet, and Miss Hurstman looked completely out of place. This was ridiculous. There must have been a mistake.

The woman turned and looked them over. aMiss Greystone and Miss Trist, I assume. Though I canat tell which is which. Youaa"she pointed a bony finger at Altheaa"alook like the heiress. But youaa"she pointed at Clarissaa"alook like the simmering pot.a aI beg your pardon?a aDonat starch up. Youall get used to me. I gave up trying to act pretty and pleasing thirty years ago. Someone described Miss Greystone as a simmering pot, and I see what he meant.a aWho?a aDoes it matter? Sit. We have to plan your husband hunt.a Clarissa and Althea obeyed dazedly.

aI gather youare a protegee of the Marchioness of Arden,a Miss Hurstman said.

Clarissa didnat know what to do with that statement.

aLady Arden was a teacher at Miss Malloryas School,a Althea said, filling the silence. aShe was kind to Clarissa last year in London.a Clarissa supposed that summed up a very complex situation.

aThat explains Belcraven, then,a said Miss Hurstman. aHe must be thanking heaven to see his heir married to a woman of sense.a Mrs. Taddy hurried in then with a laden tea tray and put it in front of Miss Hurstman.

aLondon,a continued the lady, pouring. She handed Clarissa a cup. aLasted all of two weeks there, and got yourself engaged to marry Lord Deveril. At least you ended up with his money, which shows some wit.a aHe was hardly my choice,a Clarissa stated, wondering what would happen if she ordered the woman out of the house. She had a burning question first. aWhy would anyone describe me as a simmering pot?a A touch of humor flashed in the dark eyes. aBecause a simmering pot needs to be watched, gel, in case it bubbles over. aBubble, bubble, toil and troublea? Oh, I expect trouble from you two.a Miss Hurstman switched her gimlet gaze to Althea, who almost choked on a cake crumb. aYouare a beauty. Here to catch a husband?a aOh, noa"a aNothing wrong with that, if itas what you want. If you donat like your choices, I can find you a position. One where you wonat be abused. Bear that in mind. There are worse things than being a spinster.a aThank you,a said Althea faintly.

aWhat about you?a Miss Hurstman demanded of Clarissa. aYou want a husband too?a aNo.a aWhy not?a aWhy should I? Iam rich.a aSexual passion,a said Miss Hurstman, causing Clarissa and Althea to gape. aDonat look like stuffed trout. The human race is driven by it, generally into disaster. If you wait long enough, it cools, but in youth, it simmers.a Clarissa felt her face flame. Surely whoever had said she was a simmering pot could never have meant that.

Who could it be? The duke? Hardly. Lord Arden? She didnat think so.

Major Hawkinville?

That thought proved her mind was spinning beyond reason.

aThereas all the romantic twaddle as well,a the astonishing woman continued. aThat alone can turf man or woman into an unwise marriage.a She surveyed the plate and chose a piece of seedy cake. aI was young once, and reasonably pretty, though I doubt you believe it, and I remember. I decided early not to marry, but I was still tempted a time or two. And I wasnat fool enough to visit Brighton in the summer, where romantic folly is carried on the breeze. Whatas worse,a she added with a look at Clarissa, ayouare an heiress. Youall have to fight aem off.a Clarissa eyed the woman coldly. aIsnat that your job?a Miss Hurstman gave a kind of snort. aIf you really want me to. You probably wonat. Youall probably scramble after the most rascally ones around. Young fools always do. Iall have no scandal, though. No being caught half naked in an anteroom. No mad dashes to Gretna Green. Understand? Now, you two go off and settle yourselves in. Thereas nothing we can do today.a Clarissa found herself on her feet, but regrouped. aMiss Hurstman, my trustees employed someoneaa"she emphasized the worda"ato gain us entree to the highest circles. I appreciatea"a aYou think I canat? Donat judge by appearances. If thereas a member of the ton here Iam not related to, they probably have shady antecedents. And though I donat spend much time in their silly circles, I know most of aem, too. If you want to waltz with the Regent at the Pavilion, I can arrange it. Though why youad want to is another matter.a aEven though Iam the Devilas Heiress?a Clarissa challenged.

aStupid name. Concentrate on the heiress part. Thatall open every door. A hundred thousand, I understand.a Clarissa heard Althea gasp. aMore. Itas been well invested, and Iave been living simply.a aObviously.a Miss Hurstman looked her over. aWith a fortune to hand, why are you dressed like that?a aYou are,a Clarissa pointed out sweetly.

aIam fifty-five. If you want to be a nun, enter a convent. If you want me to introduce you to Brighton society, dress appropriately.a Clarissa desperately wanted to state that shead wear plain gowns forever, thank you, but she could see a pointless rebellion when it was about to cut off her nose. She admitted to the clothes waiting for her at Mrs. Howellas.

Miss Hurstman nodded. aGood. Weall go there first thing tomorrow and hope no one of importance sees you before youare properly dressed. You should have borrowed something from Miss Trist. Off you go.a Clarissa longed to sit down again and refuse to be removed, but that was pointless too. As she went upstairs with Althea she muttered, aIntolerable!a aPerhaps sheas able to do what sheas supposed to do,a Althea suggested.

aIf so, she can stay. Otherwise, out she goes.a aYou canat!a Clarissa wasnat sure she could either. Moving Miss Arabella Hurstman might require the entire British army and the Duke of Wellington to lead it. But could she endure much more of Miss Hurstman? The woman was going to turn this delightful adventure into misery.

She went into the front bedroom that Mrs. Taddy indicated, finding their luggage already there and a sober-faced maid beginning to unpack.

aWho are you?a Clarissa demanded.

The woman dropped an alarmed curtsy. aElsie John, maaam. Hired to be maid to Miss Greystone and Miss Trist.a She, too, was clearly having trouble deciding who was who.

aIam Miss Greystone,a said Clarissa, beginning to lose patience with this farce. aThat is Miss Trist.a The maid rolled her eyes and turned back to her work. Clarissa sucked in a deep, steadying breath. She had failed to stand up to Miss Hurstman, so she was taking out her anger on the innocents.

Then Althea said, aWould you mind if I lie down, Clarissa? I have a headache.a aNo, of course not. Itas probably because of that dreadful woman.a Clarissa knew, however, that it was as much her fault as Miss Hurstmanas. She reined in her temper, and even found a smile for the maid. aElsie, you may go for now.a She helped Althea out of her gown and settled her in the bed with the curtains drawn, but then didnat know where to go. She couldnat stay here and be quiet. She didnat feel at all quiet. She needed to pace and rant.

She left the room, closing the door quietly. There were supposed to be three bedrooms, and there were three doors. What if the third was the housekeeperas? She crept downstairs, but she suspected the only rooms below were the front parlor and the dining room. She headed for the dining room.

aAh, good!a Clarissa jumped.

Miss Hurstman had emerged from the parlor like a spider from a hole. aCome back in here.a aWhy?a aWe have things to discuss. Believe it or not, Iam your ally, not your enemy.a Clarissa found herself too fascinated to resist.

aYouare strong,a Miss Hurstman said, as Clarissa reentered the room. aA bit of brimstone, too. Thatas good. Youall need it.a aWhy?a aYouare the Devilas Heiress. And youare a Greystone. Even under my aegis, youall receive some snubs.a aI donat care, except if it hurts Althea.a aItall hurt her if people are cruel to you. She canat take any fire at all, can she?a aShe doesnat like discord, but she can be strong in fighting for right and justice.a aPity we donat have lions to throw her to. She might enjoy that.a Enough was enough. aMiss Hurstman, Iam not at all sure you will suit, but if you are to be caustic about Miss Trist, you certainly wonat.a The womanas lips twitched. aThink of me as your personal lion. Now sit down. Letas talk without a delicate audience.

aI like you,a Miss Hurstman said as she returned to her straight-backed posture in her chair. aDonat know what fires youave been through, but itas forged some steel. Unusual in a gel your age. Your Althea is doubtless a lovely young woman, but tender lambs like that give me a headache. They can always be depended on to say the right thing and to suffer for the stupidity of others.a aIt wasnat stupidity that killed her fiance.a aHow do you know? War is stupid, anyway. Do you know we lost ten times as many men to disease as wounds? Ten times, and a regiment of women with sense could have saved most of aem. Enough of that. I want to have things clear. Weare to find her a good husband, are we?a Clarissa imagined that Wellingtonas troops must have felt like this before battle, and yet there was a starchy comfort in it. Miss Hurstman, despite her unlikely appearance, radiated competence and confidence.

aYes.a aAny dowry at all?a aA very small amount.a Miss Hurstman humphed. aThe right man will find that romantic. Whatas her family?a aHer father is the vicar of Saint Stephenas in Bucklestead St. Stephens. Heas brother to Sir Clarence Trist there. Her mother is from a good family, too. But thereas no money and seven other children.a aWhere did the fine clothes come from, then?a aI gave them to her.a aWhy?a Clarissa considered her answer. aDo you know Messrs. Euston, Layton, and Keele, maaam?a aOnly by repute and a letter.a aThorough,a said Clarissa. aConscientious. Determined to pass over my fortune when Iam twenty-one with scarcely a nibble out of it.a aVery right and proper.a aCarried to ridiculous lengths. I can buy what I want and they will pay the bills, but they allow me virtually no money to spend on my own. They would never have let me hire Althea to be my companiona"and you have to admit that having her here will be much more pleasant than being here alone.a aYou have me,a said Miss Hurstman with a wicked smirk.

Clarissa swallowed a laugh, and suspected it showed.

The truth was that she was beginning to like Miss Hurstman. There was no need to pretend with her. With Althea, dear though she was, Clarissa always felt she had to watch herself so as not to bruise her friendas tender feelings. With Miss Hurstman, she could probably damn the king, pick a fight, or use scandalous language and stir no more than a blink.

aClothes,a Miss Hurstman prompted.

aOh, yes. The ELK didnat object to my bringing Althea as a friend, but she needed fashionable clothing. Theyad not pay for that, but theyad pay for new clothes for me.a aShady dealings, gel.a Miss Hurstman waggled her finger, but the twinkle might be admiration.

Clarissa was surprised to feel that Miss Hurstmanas admiration might be worth something. aIt wasnat a noble sacrifice. I would never have worn those gowns again. They were bought for me to parade before Lord Deveril.a aAh. And that shade of blue wouldnat have suited you any better than the one youare wearing now. Hope you chose better this time.a Clarissa looked down at the tiny sprigged pattern that had been the best material Miss Malloryas seamstress had to hand. aSo do I. I chose rather bold colors.a aBold seems suitable,a said Miss Hurstman dryly. aIf they donat suit, weall choose again. Wonat make a dent in your fortune. So, Miss Trist needs to marry money. And generous money, at that.a aWhat she needs is a man who loves her.a Miss Hurstmanas brows rose. aWhen she canat love him back? Shead go into a decline under the guilt of it. And if she doesnat marry money, sheall feel sheas let down her family.a Clarissa wanted to object, but the blasted woman had clearly taken Altheaas measure to the inch. She needed to be of service to all.

aI want her to be happy.a Miss Hurstman nodded. aSheall be content with a good man and children, and plenty of worthwhile work to do. You, on the other hand, need a man who loves you.a Major Hawkinville, Clarissa thought, and reacted by stating, aI donat need a man at all. Iam rich.a aYouare obsessed by your money. Guineas are uncomfortable bedfellows.a aThey can buy comfort.a Miss Hurstmanas brows shot up. aPlanning to buy yourself a lover?a aOf course not!a Clarissa knew she was red. aYou, maaam, are obsessed witha with bed! My trustees cannot have known your true colors.a Despite that, she could see the wicked twinkle in Miss Hurstmanas eyes, and felt its reflection in herself. Shead never known anyone so willing to say outrageous things.

aWhy are you my chaperone?a she demanded. aYou are clearly a most unusual choice, even if you are well connected.a aNepotism,a said Miss Hurstman, but that twinkle told Clarissa that there was more to the word than there seemed to be. aAnd you come into your money at twenty-one,a Miss Hurstman carried on. aUnusual situation all around. Unusual that Deveril leave you anything. Even more unusual that he arrange for you to be free of control at such a tender age.a aI know, and sometimes I wish he hadnat.a After a moment, Clarissa admitted something shead never told anyone before. aIt frightens me. Iave tried to learn something about management, but I donat feel able to deal with such wealth.a Miss Hurstman nodded. aYou can hire Euston, Layton, and Keele to manage your affairs, but it will still be a tricky road. Itas not just a matter of management. A woman is not supposed to live without male supervision, especially a young unmarried lady of fortune. The world will watch every move you make, and scoundrels will hover with a thousand clever ways to filch your money from you.a Major Hawkinville, she thought, though she couldnat see him as a scoundrel. aFortune hunters. I know.a aAt the end of a few weeks with me,a Miss Hurstman stated, ayouall be more ready, and in ways other than administrative. But donat put the thought of a husband out of your mind entirely. There are good men in the world, and one of them would make your life a great deal easier. I donat see you as content with celibate living.a Put like that, Clarissa wasnat sure she would be content, either, and she knew part of that feeling was because of the heroic major, even though he hadnat touched her in any meaningful way. She wasnat ready to expose such sensitive uncertainties to Miss Hurstmanas astringent eye, however.

Her companion rose in a sharp, smooth motion. aThereas a lot about you that I donat understand. I wonat pry. As long as it doesnat affect what weare doing here, itas no business of mine. But Iall listen if you want to talk, and I can keep secrets. You probably wonat believe it, but I can be trusted, too.a Clarissa did believe it. She was tempted to lay all her burdens on the older womanas shouldersa"Lord Deveril and his death; Lord Ardenas cruelty to Beth; even the Company of Rogues, Lord Ardenas friends, who had helped her, whose burden of secrets she carried, who frightened her in vague, elusive ways.

That the idea tempted her was alarming in itself.

Chapter Six.

Hawk rode into Brighton at half past eight, before the fashionable part of town was stirring. He turned into the Red Lion Inn and arranged to stable Centaur there. He had a standing invitation to stay with Van and his wife, whoad taken a house on the Marine Parade, but he wouldnat disturb them at this hour.

He wasnat sure why he was here so uselessly early except that head wanted to get on with his pursuit of Miss Greystone. Time was shortening before Sladeas deadline, but more than that, like a novice before battle, he feared losing his nerve.

Miss Greystone might seem innocent, but he couldnat imagine how she could not have been involved in Deverilas death and that forged will. She was, as far as he could see, the sole beneficiary. Anything he discovered was likely to lead to her destruction, and quite simply, he balked at that. Head spent the past weeks seeking some other way of claiming the Deveril money.

Head failed.

If head failed, he doubted it was possible. Head used every angle and connection to try to find the forger, or a hint of the killer. Nothing, which meant he was up against a clever mind and that line of inquiry was dead, especially given his shortage of time. One day, however, he hoped to know who had constructed the deceit, and how.

And why. That in particular puzzled him. The heiress had the money. Why had a clever mind gone to such illegal lengths for no obvious profit?

A lover? He didnat want to think head been as deeply fooled by her as that.

From servants and gossips, head compiled a list of people Clarissa had been seen with during her time in London, but it was short and unhelpful. The Greystones and Deveril had only been tolerated, so her social circle had not been wide. The highest-born connection was Lady Gorgros, a vastly stupid woman who couldnat be the genius behind anything.

Viscount Starke had hung around Deveril, but head shake hands with anyone for another bottle of brandy, and his hands perpetually shook on their own, anyway. Theread been others of his sort, and a couple of upstart families who had wined and dined the Greystones under the illusion that it was a step toward the haut ton.

After Deverilas death, however, shead been taken up by the Marchioness of Arden. That had struck him as strange enough to be interesting until head discovered that Lady Arden had been a teacher at Miss Malloryas School. Obviously, in time of need Clarissa had turned to her. Hawk would have spoken to the marchioness to see if she had anything to tell, but the lady was living in the country, expecting to be confined with her first child at any moment.

It was perhaps as well. Poking in such high-flowing waters was likely to be dangerous. That explained, however, why the heiressas guardian was the Duke of Belcraven, Ardenas father. Her own father had been persuaded to sign away all his rights for five thousand pounds. With the Greystones, it would appear, everything was for sale.

So, after weeks of work, he had facts but no clue about Clarissa Greystoneas mysterious partner in crime. Thus his only key was Clarissa herself. Perhaps her honesty and innocence were a deep disguise, and she was a thorough villain. Perhaps she was the puppet of some undiscovered manipulator.

Whatever the truth, Hawk was going to uncover it, and he would do whatever it took.

As soon as the post office opened he went to speak to his obliging informant there. Since Hawk was from a well-known local family, Mr. Crawford had made no difficulty over accepting a crown to send word when Miss Clarissa Greystone arrived in town.

aCame to register with me yesterday, Major Hawkinville,a the rotund man said with a wink. aMiss Greystone, a pretty friend, and their chaperone.a aAny other notable arrivals?a Hawk asked, attempting to mask his interest a little.

Crawford consulted his book. aThe Earl and Countess of Gresham, sir. Mrs. and Miss Nutworth-Hulmeaa When the man had run down the list, Hawk thanked him again and left, pausing to allow a couple to enter the room. An arresting couple.

The woman was a silver-haired beauty in pure white, from the plumes on her bonnet to her kid slippers. Somehow she tweaked at his memory, though he didnat know her. Certainly no man would forget her. Her companion was a tall, darkly handsome man with an empty sleeve tucked between the buttons of his jacket. Military, Hawk guessed, but again, no one he knew.

aMrs. Hardcastle!a Mr. Crawford exclaimed, coming around his counter to bow to the lady.

Ah, he remembered her now. She was the actress they called the White Dove of Drury Lane. Shead been playing Titania when head tracked Van down in the theater a while ago. His mind had been entirely on Vanas danger, but even so, her grace and charm had made an impression.

She was irrelevant to his current concerns, however.

As he continued on his way he heard Crawford greet the man as Major Beaumont, confirming that he was military and a stranger. All the same, that irrelevant name would now have slotted into his mind.

He found it tiresome to have nearly every detail stick, even something like a chance-met actress and her escort, but head learned to live with it, and it was the basis of his skill. He still had time to kill, so he walked over to the seafront, hoping the brisk breeze would clear his mind.

He wasnat used to having a tangled mind, but Clarissa Greystone had achieved it. Looked at from the angle of the evidence, she could not be an innocent. Hell, she was a Greystone, and even if she had spent most of the recent years at Miss Malloryas School, that had to carry a taint.

As well, he knew better than most that appearances could be completely deceptive. He remembered a wide-eyed child in Lisbon who had mutilated the soldiers he had murdered and robbed.

The ethereal White Dove was probably a foulmouthed wanton, and wholesome Clarissa Greystone was neck-deep in slime. He need have no qualms about pleasing her and wooing her until she let something slip that would open the puzzle-box of Deverilas affairs.

If only he felt that way.

He watched the dippers lead their horses down to the beach and harness them to the bathing machines, getting ready for the first bathers of the day. Business might be light, given the clouds graying the sky. Even so, perhaps he should sea-bathe despite the weather, and try to be washed clean of the stink he felt creeping over him.

Maudlin thought, but head never used lovemaking as a weapon before.

He suddenly remembered recruiting someone to do just that, howevera"if coupling with a notorious whore could be called lovemaking. It had been two years ago, just after the taking of Paris. Napoleon had abdicated, and Richard Anstable, an inoffensive British diplomat, had been found stabbed to death.

The man whoad found him had been Nicholas Delaney, and Hawk had recognized the name. Delaney had been the creator and leader of the Company of Rogues, Conas group of friends at Harrow School.

Hawk, curious about a person head heard so much about, had immediately wondered what Delaney was doing at the liberation of Paris. Head sought Delaney out, and theread been an instant liking, though Hawk had instinctively blocked the manas charisma.

That charisma, however, had landed Delaney with the very devil of a job, and because of their acquaintance, Hawk had been given the task of putting it to him.