The Foreign Office, the Horse Guards, and the military command all had files on a woman called Therese Bellaire. A daughter of the minor nobility, she had risen in wealth and power as mistress and procuress to Napoleonas most important men. In 1814, with Napoleon abdicating, she had turned to Colonel Coldstrop of the Guards, and begged his help in fleeing to England. No one thought her purpose innocent.

It had been decided to support her plan so as to find out what she was up to and whom she contacted. The files showed that a few years before, Delaney had been her resident lover for months. The files also said that head left her, not the other way around, and that she still cared.

Hawkas orders had been blunt. aSheas up to something,a General Featheringham had said, aand we need to know what. Only idiots think Boneyas going to sit on Elba growing violets, and there are Bonapartist sympathizers everywhere, including Britain. Tell Delaney to get back into the womanas good graces and rut the truth out of her.a Hawk had put it more politely, but Nicholas Delaneyas eyes had turned steady and cool. All head said, however, was, aAnd to think I felt guilty about not fighting in the Peninsula.a Hawk had tried to sugar the pill. aI hear sheas a very beautiful woman, and skilled at the erotic arts.a Delaney had stood up at that. aThen you do it,a head said, and left.

It hadnat been a rejection. Hawk had known that, and within days head heard that Delaney was part of a wild circle including Therese Bellaire. Soon after that, head left for England with the woman, presumably doing his noble service.

Hawk had heard no more of it, and hadnat cared to, but when Napoleon, as predicted, had returned to France and power, the Bellaire woman had reappeared in the inner circle. Shead disappeared around the time of Waterloo, and now, surely, her goose must be cooked.

It had all come back to him because head met Delaney again recentlya"in Devon, at Conas place there. Delaneyas country estate lay not far away, and head come to look over the strange collection left by Conas predecessor and to help Con with a dilemma to do with Susan.

Delaney and Hawk had both pretended not to have met before, and it hadnat seemed that Delaney held a grudge. All the same, Hawk wondered how many thorns from his past would turn up to jab him.

Thorns from his present, as well.

He returned to the Red Lion and ate a mediocre breakfast, waiting for fashionable Brighton to emerge. Waiting for Clarissa Greystone to become vulnerable to his Hawkas eye and talons.

The fashionable throng kept earlier hours at Brighton, so by eleven he could go out to stroll among them. He circled the open grassy area called the Steyne, chatting to the occasional acquaintance, many of them military, casually keeping an eye out for his quarry.

He recognized Miss Trist first. Or rather, he was alerted by a swirl of attention around a lovely lady in a white dress trimmed with periwinkle blue, and then saw who it was. It took him a moment to recognize the lively creature beside her as Clarissa Greystone.

No sign of the unsophisticated schoolgirl now. What an excellent actress she was.

She wasnat wearing a bonnet. Instead, a daringly elegant hat with a small curved brim revealed all of her face and quite a lot of her stylishly dressed curls. It didnat make her a beauty, but it gave a vibrancy to her features. To protect her complexion, she carried the latest thing, a pagoda-style parasol. Or, to be precise, she twirled it. Even at a distance she looked confident, full of the zest of lifea"and dangerous.

Her gown was an off-white color strongly trimmed with rust-colored braid and edged around the hem with a deep fringe. As she walked, that fringe swung, giving tantalizing glimpses of shapely ankles emphasized by cream-and-rust-striped stockings.

Every man on the Steyne was doubtless looking at those ankles.

He jerked his own eyes up, steadied himself, and planned his intercept. He saw others making a direct line, including a number of military men. The last thing he wanted was the heiress in the protection of another man. Disguising his urgency, he moved in swiftly for the kill.

aI say, Aunt Arabella, fancy seeing you here! And in such charming company!a Clarissa started. Shead been so intent on looking carefree and confident despite feeling sick with nerves that she hadnat noticed the dark-haired, dark-eyed young officer until he was upon them.

Miss Hurstman stopped and looked him up and down. aAfraid the moldall rub off on them, Trevor? You were a big-eared gawk when I saw you last. Heard you did well at Waterloo, though. Good boy. You donat want to chatter to me, Iam sure. I know what you want. Miss Trist and Miss Greystone. Consider yourself introduced. Lieutenant Lord Trevor Ffyfe. Heall be a safe flirt for you because he knows Iall cut his nose off if he ainat.a The young man laughed. aRemarkable woman, my aunt. Are you new to Brighton, ladies? You must be. I couldnat possibly have missed two such beautiesaa After a few moments of his flattering, chattering company, Clarissaas nerves began to settle, and tentative joy crept in. Was it really going to work? Was Miss Hurstman going to perform the miracle and gain her entrance to society? This was what shead dreamed ofa"becoming clothes, a fashionable throng, and a gallant, even titled, flirt.

She and Althea had lived in seclusion for two days while Mrs. Howell and her assistants rushed backward and forward doing final fittings on the gowns. They hadnat been bored, because there had been the hairdresser, the dancing master, and Miss Hurstmanas own drill in perfect, confident behavior.

aNever fluster!a she commanded Clarissa. aAlthea can be as demure and uncertain as she pleases, but if you are, theyall eat you alive. Look them in the eye, remember your fortune, and dare them to turn their backs.a Now she was being hatched, and in very fine feathers. She loved the bold colors of this one, and the deep, daring fringe. Perhaps in fine feathers she became a little bit of a fine bird?

She kept her chin up, her smile in place, and prepared to look anyone and everyone in the eye.

aDo say that youall give me a dance at the assembly on Friday, Miss Greystone.a Clarissa focused on handsome Lord Trevor, and her smile became genuine. aIad be delighted to, my lord.a aI consider myself the most fortunate of men, Miss Greystone!a He was attempting to sound sincere, but she could tell that his dazed attention was more on Althea than herself. She didnat mind. That was the true purpose of this adventure.

More or less.

She couldnat resist glancing around in search of Major Hawkinville. There was no reason under the sun for him to be here today, but she couldnat help but look.

Imagine being able to talk with him at leisure.

Imagine him asking her to reserve a dance.

But then, perhaps the dazzling appeal had been a figment of the moment and here, among so many fine military men, he would be ordinary.

There was only one way to find out.

Another survey showed no sign of him. Patience, she told herself, and concentrated on the increasing number of fine military men. It was as if Lord Trevor had breached the wallsa"they were surrounded by uniforms, all seeking introductions.

Only one said to Clarissa, aOh, I say, arenat youa"?a and then shut up, turning red.

aDunce,a said Lord Trevor with a reassuring smile at Clarissa.

But her nerves started to churn again. She was still the Devilas Heiress. It was all very well to be swarmed by young officers. Would other parts of society accept her?

The officers all had excellent manners, at least, and shared their attention between Althea and herself. Since all she wanted from them was the lightest flirtation, it was heavenly.

But what about the major? She glanced around again, searching the clusters of people dotting the fashionable gathering place. She was sure that if he was here he would stand out for hera And he did!

After just one glimpse, her heart started a nervous patter.

She instantly turned back to the group, smiling brightly at a lieutenant whose name had flown right out of her head, chattering to him in what was probably a stream of nonsense.

Remember, he is a fortune hunter. This is only for amusement, not for life.

aMiss Greystone. Miss Trist. How delightful to see you here.a Clarissa turned, putting on what she hoped was a merely warm smile. aMajor Hawkinville. What a lovely surprise.a His smiling eyes held a distinct hint of wickedness. aNot entirely a surprise, Miss Greystone. We did speak of it.a A little shocked by that betrayal, Clarissa was still seeking the right response when a poke in her side alerted her to Miss Hurstman, expecting to be introduced. She grasped the escape, and her chaperone asked a few pointed questions before giving him the nod. Clarissa was surprised to detect something negative in her dragon. Wariness? Concern? Was there something wrong with his family? His reputation?

But then she had it. Probably Miss Hurstman knew him to be a man in need of marrying a fortune. Sad to have that confirmed, but not a shock. She could still enjoy him. In fact, it could be seen as educational. Once word escaped, she was bound to be swarmed by fortune hunters. She would learn from the major what to expect, and how to handle it.

aMajor Hawkinville!a Lord Trevor said. aI say, sir, how good to see you again. And now you meet my redoubtable Aunt Arabella.a Miss Hurstmanas eyes narrowed. aBeen gossiping about me in the mess, Trevor?a Lord Trevor went red and stammered a denial.

aHe was singing your praises,a said the major, aabout some work you did helping young workhouse girls.a Miss Hurstman looked between them. aStrange topic for officers.a aWe try to be eclectic. Educate the subalterns, you know.a Hawk turned to Clarissa. aAre you enjoying Brighton, Miss Greystone?a aPerfectly,a she said, adding a silent now.

Shead wondered whether he would seem as special away from riot and adventure, but if anything, he was more so, even when surrounded by other eligible men. He was remarkably elegant, without being foppish. She wasnat sure how that came about, but she would be happy to study the question.

What was her fortune hunter going to do next?

He chatted to the other men for a moment or two, then he held out his arm to her. Concealing a smile, she put her hand on it, and let him cut her out of the group to stroll about the Steyne.

A simple and direct first step. She approved.

How would he open his wooing?

aYouave acquired a formidable dragon, Miss Greystone.a She looked at him in surprise. aMiss Hurstman? She was hired by my trustees, Major.a aFfyfeas aunt?a aIs that so extraordinary?a aFfyfeas aunt, I believe, is actually cousin to his father, the Marquess of Mayne, rather than sister. However, sheas sister to one viscount, aunt to another, and granddaughter of a duke. Hardly the type to hire herself out for the season.a aYouare surprisingly well informed, Major.a She supposed a fortune hunter needed to gather information about his quarry, but such blatant evidence of it dismayed her. And where was the amusing flattery and charm she had anticipated?

But then he smiled rather wryly. aIam blesseda"or curseda"with a retentive memory, Miss Greystone. Facts stick. You may wish to be a little on your guard.a aAgainst your retentive memory?a It came out rather snappishly, and he looked startled. aAgainst Ffyfeas aunt.a But then he added, aIgnore me, please. Someone whoas been in battle often jumps at loud noises. My active service had more to do with puzzles than cannon fire, but Iam left with a sharp reaction to things and people that seem amiss.a aYou see Miss Hurstman as amiss?a Clarissa asked, beginning to be intrigued by the puzzle. aIad think her eminent background would put her beyond reproach.a aHigh rank doesnat always go hand in hand with virtue, Miss Greystone. I would think you would know that.a aI?a she asked, a nervous tremor starting. Was he referring to her family?

aI could not help but be curious about you, Miss Greystone, and I learned that you were betrothed to Lord Deveril.a Despite the sun, Clarissa felt as if a chill wind blew around her. Something must have shown on her face, for he said, aHave I offended you by mentioning it?a She looked at him. He did not seem repentant. Only watchful. Was this really how fortune hunters behaved? And, she suddenly thought, if he was honest about his curiosity, had he not known in Cheltenham that she was rich?

aIt is common knowledge, Major.a aAs was Lord Deverilas vice. I confess to being curious as to how you came to be committed to him. It cannot have been by choice.a She silently thanked him for that, but could not, would not, talk about it. It made her almost physically sick.

aMy parents compelled me, Major. But it is a matter I prefer not to discuss. I must thank you for the name you gave me, though it was not required. My trustees have found me a pleasant house in Broad Street.a aA good address. Close enough to the Steyne for convenience, but not so close as to be affected by rowdiness. What with bands, parades, and donkey races, this is often not a restful place.a She glanced at him. aBut do I want to rest?a He returned her look, and it was suddenly like the time when they had been watching the parade, when head silently challenged her. Had he not known then who she was? It seemed crucial, but she had no way to be sure.

aI see,a he said. aYou enjoy riot and mayhem?a She twirled her parasol, sending the fringe dancing at the edge of her vision. aNot precisely that, but some little adventuresaa aYou could creep out of your house tonight to explore Brighton with me in the dark.a aMajor!a But he was teasing, and she loved it.

His smile crinkled his eyes and dug deep brackets beside his mouth. aToo extreme? Or simply too early?a Before she could find a reply, he added, aWe must establish boundaries, Miss Greystone. Could I tempt you to stroll beyond this treeless space and find more privacy?a aTo do what?a she asked, glancing away, but as if she might consider something so outrageous.

aPart of the adventure, Miss Greystone, is the mystery involved.a She looked back. aBut a mystery, Major, might prove to be pleasant, or very unpleasant.a aThere would be no excitement otherwise, would there?a She met his eyes. aNo danger, you mean.a His only response was a slight deepening of his tantalizing smile.

Suddenly she wanted to say yes. To go off with him and discover just how dangerous he could be. If this was a fortune hunteras trick, then she could begin to understand why some ladies fell victim to them!

Time to be wise. She looked back toward Miss Hurstman, Althea, and the group of red coats around them. aI think we had best return, Major. I cannot afford to endanger my reputation, for Altheaas sake. I hope she will make a good connection here.a He turned back without complaint. aYou do not seek a husband yourself?a It pleased her to be able to say, aNo.a How would he deal with that?

aThat is unusual in a young woman, Miss Greystone.a aI am an unusual woman, Major Hawkinville.a She meant merely that she wasa"or soon would bea" independently wealthy, but when he said, aYes, you are,a it seemed to mean a great deal more.

Despite reason, warmth stirred within her, and it was caused by the admiration in his eyes. She tried to dismiss it as a fortune hunteras trick, but she could not.

aYour good sense and courage during the riot made a strong impression upon me, Miss Greystone. It also cannot have been easy to be put into such a situation with Lord Deveril, and yet you have survived unscathed.a She wished he would stop referring to that, but said, aThank you.a aYou are free of your parentsa cruelty now, I hope?a aI am under the guardianship of the Duke of Belcraven.a Then she remembered his curiosity, and her wits sharpened. aYou did not find that out, Major?a A quirk of his lips seemed to be acknowledgment of a hit. aYes, but not why. Or how.a aThen that puzzle can lend excitement to your life, Major.a His brows rose. aI am newly back from war, Miss Greystone. I am in no need of excitement.a She stopped to face him. aThat was an unfair blow, sir!a aAre we duelists, then? I thought us conspirators against your dull world.a aMy world is not at all dull.a Especially not with you in it!

aAh, of course. You are new to Brighton. Perhaps I should return in a week or two when the novelty has worn off.a A second too late she knew she had let her dismay at that show. She had forgotten that he didnat live here. When would she see him again, enjoy his sparring again?

From inside a posy of scarlet coats, Althea flashed Clarissa a speculative look. Clarissa realized that she and the major were standing face-to-face in a way that must look particular. What now? She didnat know how to do this any more than she knew how to swim. Was she being wooed, or simply toyed with? How should she react? How far could she go without endangering her liberty?

She fell back on frankness. aWhen you do return, Major, I hope youall call. Broad Street. Number eight.a He bowed, and by accord they moved on to join her party. aWhen in Brighton, I am based at number twenty-two, Marine Parade. It has been taken by my friend Lord Vandeimen and his bride.a He glanced past her. aAh, and here they are, lured by curiosity. Or,a he added softly, ayour delectable fringe-veiled ankles.a Stupidly, she looked down at her fringe as if she wasnat aware that it effectively made her skirt three inches shorter. By the time she looked up again to greet his friends, she was thoroughly off-balance.

Delectable? He thought her ankles delectable?

Chapter Seven.

Major Hawkinvilleas friends were an elegant couple, though Lord Vandeimenas skin was darker than Hawkas, and a jagged scar marred his right cheek. Another officer, she was sure. Lady Vandeimenas complexion was perfect, her eyes heavy-lidded and fine, and her smile warm.

Clarissa thought that the lady must be older than her husband, but little smiles seemed to speak of the warmest feelings.

aMaria!a Miss Hurstman marched over. aGood to see you. This must be the scamp you just married.a She gave Lord Vandeimen a swift perusal. aGood for you.a aJealous?a murmured Lady Vandeimen, breaking a laugh from her husband, who captured Miss Hurstmanas hand and kissed it.

aThe redoubtable Miss Hurstman. Honored, maaam.a Astonishingly, Miss Hurstman might be blushing. aScamp,a she repeated. aBut twenty years ago you might have deprived me of my wits, too. At least youare safely chained and one less rascal I have to guard these flighty creatures from.a She seemed to emphasize that with a sharp glance at Major Hawkinville. After a little more chat, Miss Hurstman turned to Clarissa. aWead best be off. We have things to do.a We do? wondered Clarissa, but Miss Hurstman was in command of this expedition, so she said farewells attended by promises of meeting at the assembly. It was frustratingly unclear whether they included the major or not.

As she, Althea, and Miss Hurstman headed out of the Steyne, the younger officers trailed along. aNot good enough,a complained Lord Trevor to Clarissa. aLetting yourself get stolen by a staff officer, Miss Greystone. What are we poor fellows to do about that?a aFight?a Clarissa teased.

aHawk Hawkinville? I think not.a Hawk Hawkinville. Yes, it suits him.

aHe has a formidable reputation?a She knew she was showing her interest, but was unable to resist. Folly blowing on the wind in Brighton, Miss Hurstman had said. It was more as if it shone down with the emerging sun, melting will and wits to a soggy mess.

aRight-hand man to Colonel De Lancey, Wellingtonas quartermaster general. Crucial work. But he enjoyed some action too. Saved one battalion at St. Pierre single-handed, they say, when all the officers were killed.a aReally?a prompted Clarissa. Of course, a military hero could still be a scoundrel in other areas. A fortune hunter. Insidiously, it was ceasing to be so appalling a notion.

aI heard his main work was in investigations, Miss Greystone.a aOf crimes?a aYes, but also problems. When we were sent cartloads of shoes when we needed meat, or meat when the horses needed hay. When boots turned out to have paper soles, and rifles were off. No shifty supplier wanted to come under the Hawkas scrutiny, I assure you. Itas said that he rarely misses or forgets a detail.a So finding out about her engagement to Lord Deveril and her guardian would have been childas play. With sudden unease, Clarissa wondered what Hawk Hawkinville might find out if he began to look more closely. He had no reason to look into the details of Lord Deverilas death, but it seemed as if danger brushed against her.

aHe did immediately know all Miss Hurstmanas connections,a she said.

aDid he?a Miss Hurstmanas question was rather sharp. aWas he right, though?a aI confess, Iave forgotten exactly what he said, maaam. I think that Lord Trevor is the son of your cousin rather than being a nephew, and that you are the granddaughter of a duke.a Was she silly to think that Miss Hurstman also looked worried? Did she have something to hide, too? Why was she employed as a chaperone?

But Miss Hurstman only said, aHa! Not infallible, then. Iam the great-granddaughter of a duke. Trevor, take yourself and your friends off. Youall have another chance tomorrow.a Miss Hurstman swept Althea and Clarissa away with suspicious urgency. aYou want to watch a man with a name like Hawk Hawkinville.a aWhy?a Dirty laundry in Miss Hurstmanas cupboard? Out of sheer, mischievous curiosity, Clarissa wanted to know what it was.

aA hawkas eye for detail and a close-to-infallible memory? A woman would never be able to wear the same gown twice.a aAs if I cared. And you certainly donat.a Miss Hurstman didnat respond directly. aYouad be wiser to avoid him. Come along.a They were already out of the Steyne and heading back to Broad Street. Miss Hurstman was upset, and Clarissa found herself feeling more protective than curious. She understood what it was not to want a hawkish eye on oneas past.

But Miss Hurstman? Her overactive imagination began to play. A scandalous affair when young? Cheating at whist? Time in the Fleet for debt? All seemed highly unlikely.

But then her own involvement in violence probably seemed that way tooa"a thought that wiped all whimsy and humor from her mind. Major Hawkinville was, in effect, a professional hunter of criminals. He was the last person she should encourage to take an interest in her affairs.

The immediate resistance she felt to the idea of giving him up was warning that her feelings were stronger than she thought. For the first time she let herself seriously contemplate being caught by her fortune hunter. Merely needing to marry money did not make a person a villain. Althea needed to marry a man with at least a comfortable income.

But Clarissa knew she shouldnat indulge in this particular predator.

She arrived home queasy with worry. Mr. Delaney, leader of the Company of Rogues, had stressed that she mustnat let out a hint about Deverilas death, or those who had helped her could hang. She might hang for her involvement.

Beth Arden, who had been so kind, would be involved too, just when she was expecting her child. And Blanche Hardcastle.

She needed a quiet place to think, but Miss Hurstman ordered her and Althea into the parlor. Once there, she fixed Clarissa with her gimlet gaze. aHow do you know Hawkinville?a Clarissa had not expected this attack. She knew her color was flaring, though she had nothing really to be ashamed of.

aWe met in Cheltenham. He rescued me and some of the schoolgirls from a riot.a aCheltenham?a The womanas eyes narrowed. aWhat was he doing in Cheltenham?a aWhy shouldnat he be in Cheltenham?a aHis home lies near here, unless Iam mistaken. So why Cheltenham?a aHe was en route to some property his father had recently acquired.a aAh.a Miss Hurstman suddenly seemed thoughtful.

aAh?a Clarissa echoed. aWhat does that mean? Miss Hurstman, if you know something to the majoras detriment, I wish to know it too.a Of course Miss Hurstman knew he was a fortune hunter. Clarissa wanted that minor problem out in the open and dealt with.

But Miss Hurstman said, aTo his detriment? No. According to Trevor, a fine officer. One of the oldest families, too. They go back to the Conquest.a She waved a bony hand. aOff you go and do something.a Clarissa stayed put. aWhy were you sounding so suspicious?a aWhy? I was told that youad lived in almost nunlike seclusion, and then a buck of the first stare with no connection to Cheltenham claims acquaintance. Of course I wonder. And from the way the two of you were looking into one anotheras eyes, you were up to more than youare telling me!a Clarissa knew shead turned red, but she said, aIt was exactly as I have told you.a She couldnat help but add, aSo you donat know anything shameful about him?a aNo.a But Clarissa heard a frustrating shadow of doubt. She changed tack. aDo you know anything about Lord and Lady Vandeimen?a aAnother gallant rescue in Cheltenham?a Miss Hurstman asked caustically. aIf so, heas escaped your net. Married a few weeks back. She was Mrs. Celestin, wealthy widow of a foreigner. Sheas older than he, of course, but thereas nothing wrong with that, and sheas of the best blood. A Dunpott-Ffyfe. Weare cousins of the more distant sort. His familyas quite new here. Dutch originally, but his mother was a Grenville. Why are you so curious?a Clarissa felt as if shead turned on a tap and been drenched in information, all of it irrelevant. aMajor Hawkinville gave me their direction as a place to contact him.a aAnd why, pray, would you be contacting him?a An excellent question. Clarissa had felt that shead dealt with the majoras risque behavior well, but he had still pushed her into impropriety. aI donat know why. I did say he would be welcome to call here.a aNothing wrong with that. But neither of you will receive a gentleman here alone, do you understand?a aOf course,a said Clarissa for both of them. Althea looked as if another headache was coming on.

aNo clandestine meetings, and no clandestine marriages. And if either of you ends up expecting a bastard child, Iall be disgusted at your folly.a Althea squeaked and stuttered something about never and shock.

Clarissa, however, dropped a meek, schoolgirl curtsy. aYes, Miss Hurstman.a The womanas snort of amusement said shead deflected suspicion, but inside she was a churning mass of confusion and anxiety. Hawk Hawkinville was a danger to both her virtue and her secrets, but the only safety lay in cutting herself off from him entirely.

She wasnat sure she was strong enough to do that.

When the young women had left, Arabella Hurstman stood frowning in thought. Then she walked to the small desk, sat, and pulled out a sheet of writing paper. In dark, neat script, she told the man whoad sent her here what was happening.

You warned of possible danger from the new Lord Deveril, and here is John Gaspardas son, as wickedly handsome as his father, dancing attendance and clearly having already made inroads. Whatas more, Major Hawkinville is not a man to be taken lightly. I sense a great deal more going on than I was led to expect. I require full and complete details immediately. Preferably in person.

And bring my goddaughter with you. Itas too long since I saw her.

She folded it, sealed it, and addressed it to The Honorable Nicholas Delaney, Red Oaks, Near Yeovil, Somerset.

In the sanctuary of their room, Althea pressed her hands to her cheeks. aThat woman says the most outrageous things!a aShe does, doesnat she? I rather like it.a aYou would.a Althea blew out a breath and began to remove her elaborate bonnet. aSo, are you still pleased with the major?a Clarissa suppressed a sigh. Still no peace. She was going to have to discuss beaux.

aHe will serve to pass the time,a she said lightly, dropping her hat on a chair.

aIs that fair?a aI doubt that his heart is engaged, Thea. So, are you smitten by Lord Trevor?a Althea gave her a look. aHeas far too young. Stop trying to change the subject.a She put her bonnet carefully into its box. aYou must not become a flirt, Clarissa.a aBut I want to flirt! And as I donat intend to marry, that is all it can be. I have warned the major of that.a Altheaas eyes widened. aWhat did he say?a Clarissa grinned. aI think he took it as a challenge.a Her humor faded. It would be perfectly delightful if he hadnat turned out to be a Hawk.