"And a friend of the Regent," she said, repeating whatMalford had told her.

"A trusted member ofPrinny's inner circle.There's a difference, you know."

"I'm not sure--"

"It doesn't matter. When you meet him, you may form your own opinion. I would prefer that. And then there's Ian.My second brother."

Perhaps because she couldn't see his face, his voice seemed more revealing than it ever had before.

There was within it now a warmth, a subtle relaxation of the tone in which he had discussed the earl.

"I've learned only recently that he wed," he added.

"And the earl?" she asked. "Is he also married?"

"For almost a year now.I haven't met her, but Ian tells me that she is...remarkable," he said.

Remarkable.There had been a definite note of admiration in that. She wondered exactly what he had been told about a woman he had never met to cause it to be there.

"Brave, beautiful and erudite," he said, answering the question she hadn't asked.

All things he obviously felt a woman should be. AndPilar wasn't sure she herself possessed any of those attributes.

Despite her gift for languages, she could not claim to be erudite, a trait that would hardly be valued in a woman of her culture in any case. He had already deemed her a coward. And considering that only once in their acquaintance had he seen her dressed in anything remotely resembling the attire of a gentlewoman...

"That's the extent of my family.Two brothers, as different as daylight and dark. And two sisters-in-law, neither of whom I have yet met."

"What will they think of our...situation?" she asked.

She had finally settled on that word because she could not bring herself to claim this was a marriage.

Something he had entered into, by his own admission, only because there was no other way to get her out ofFrance .

"I'm sure they'll feel as I did. That there was no other alternative."

He had never misled her about his motives. And unlikeJulian's , they were totally unselfish. Still...

The hiss and snap of the sail drew her eyes. As she watched, it swelled with the wind, carrying them nearer toEngland and away from everything she had ever known. Suddenly the clarity of the white cloth and the scattered stars above it blurred until she was forced to blink to clear her vision. Unwanted, his words echoed over and over again in her head.

I'm sure they'll feel as I did.That there was no other alternative.

Chapter Eight.

London.

"I regret to inform you,sir, that the earl is presently at dinner. If I may be so bold as to inquirewho's calling, I shall have word sent to him immediately when he's finished."

"My name is Sebastian. Please inform Lord Dare that we've not yet dined. If between them, he and Ian haven't yet managed to devour every scrap of food the kitchen sent up..."

He raised one inquiring brow at the butler, again consciously imitating his eldest brother's mannerism.

By that time, comprehension, swiftly followed by consternation, had begun to dawn over the face of what Sebastian believed, knowing Dare, would be the perfect majordomo.

"Sebastian?" the man repeated. "Then you must be--"

"Captain the Honorable Sebastian Sinclair.Late of His Majesty's forces engaged in fighting the French.

Surely someone inLondon has thought to mention that the war is over."

"Of course, Captain Sinclair.Forgive me, please," the butler said, a deep flush spreading into his closely shaven jowls. "No one told me to expect you tonight, sir."

"Perhaps because no one knew we'd be arriving. Actually, we didn't know," Sebastian said. And then he realized that any explanation as to why they had arrived, without prior warning, at the door of the earl's town house should properly be made to his brother rather than his brother's butler. "Would you be so kind as to tell them we have arrived, please..." He hesitated, searching his memory for the name. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't know your name."

"Watson, sir."

"Then would you tell the earl, Watson, that we're here."

"Of course, Captain Sinclair."

The butler bowed formally, and when he straightened, his eyes touched onPilar before they even more briefly consideredMalford , who was standing behind the two of them. Those examinations weren't prolonged enough to solicit a correction, but still, the shock of what he had seen was apparent in the man's eyes.

And after all, Sebastian acknowledged, choosing to ignore the breach, why wouldn't he be shocked?

All of them had, of necessity, been wearing the same clothing for several days. Sebastian hadn't managed a shave since they'd left Bordeaux, and with her hair spilling around her shoulders and her complexion darkened by the sun,Pilar resembled nothing so much as a Gypsy girl. Their appearances were certainly less villainous than that of Harry's batman, who had not had the luxury of a private cabin during the crossing.

The butler said nothing of what he was obviously thinking. He simply turned on his heel and disappeared down the wide hallway, moving as rapidly as the dignity of his office would permit.

"For the servant of an earl,"Pilar said, "he seems very poorly trained."

"I suppose your father's servants would have handled the arrival of unexpected guests in the middle of dinner better than that."

"My father's servants would never have dared to gawk at anyone who came to his door, no matter how they were dressed. But then, they were well trained."

"My apologies for the ineptitude of my brother's servants.I suppose you believe I should have chastised the man, but we are rather rough looking, you will admit. I confess I'm far too glad to be home to quibble over something that minor."

Pilarhad managed the rigors of the journey fromMadrid toBordeaux and the even more trying channel crossing, where they had been forced to share a cabin, without voicing one single complaint. He could only suppose her criticism of Dare's major-domo had its roots in an exhaustion which, given her femininity, must surely exceed his own. And his was staggering.

When he glanced down at her face, about to attempt an apology for his brusqueness, he realized she had gone very pale. Her fingers lifted to the neckline of the blouse she wore, tugging it upward to cover the beginning curve of her breasts, which was exposed by its low cut. It was then Sebastian saw that her hands were trembling.

Exhaustion or...anxiety?Of course anyone would be anxious, given what probably lay ahead.

A door opened somewhere down the hall, the sound traveling clearly along that vast expanse of marble. He looked up, feeling his throat close with emotion as he saw his brothers coming toward him.

With his characteristic arrogance, Dare led the way, his long stride eating the distance between them.

Limping slightly, Ian followed closely behind him.

"You might have given us some warning, you know," the earl said. "I could probably have managed to delay dinner for perhaps half an hour. Any longer, I'm afraid, and my cook would return to his former position at Carlton House."

"Hello, Val," Sebastian said softly, his blue eyes locking with an identical pair. "It would never do to anger your cook. I shouldn't expect you to. Not for me."

"No, you shouldn't," his brother said, putting out his right hand to grasp his. At the same time he gripped Sebastian's shoulder with his left. "You've had a very long journey, however. Exceptions might have been made," Dare said, smiling at him.

"But I shouldn't dream of asking for them. Not so long as you've something left that's eatable."

"Given the circumstances, I believe we might even persuade the kitchen to prepare another meal," Ian said, stepping around the earl to get to his younger brother."The fatted calf, perhaps. Was that what you were hoping for by staging this unannounced arrival, you rascal?"

"Good English beef," Sebastian said, laughing. "There were times, I confess..." For some reason, his throat closed completely this time, preventing him from finishing.

In the steady hazel eyes of the middle Sinclair brother was a perfect understanding. Of course, Ian understood everything. He might not approve, but he had always understood.

"I know," Ian said now, pulling him into an embrace that was strong enough to give hope that his terrible injuries were at last almost healed.

And then, just at the proper moment, before Sebastian's emotions might succumb to the heartfelt honesty of that gesture, Ian put his hands on his shoulders, holding him away as if to evaluate him.

"It becomes you," Ian said."Gives your face a rather charmingly cutthroat aspect. You always were far too beautiful to be a proper Sinclair."

The scar, Sebastian realized. Neither of them had seen it, and the way in which he had acquired it was hardly a story he would have included in any of his rare letters home. And thinking of that now-- He began to step back, and Ian's hands released immediately. Sebastian half turned, intending to includePilar in the homecoming by introducing her to his brothers.

Her face was paler now than it had been before, making the contrast between the ivory skin and thatmidnight hair and her eyes more striking. She was standing with her hands clasped together at her waist. Although her expression was perfectly composed, it was somehow obvious to him that she truly was afraid of what was to come.

Surprisingly, now that he had once again been welcomed into the camaraderie that he had shared with his brothers since childhood, he no longer minded the revelation he would have to make. This was his family, and no matter the circumstances of his marriage, he knew they would eventually accept it.Just as they would acceptPilar .

It might be better, however, not to demand that they do so immediately. Not with her watching for their reaction. Surely the necessary explanation could be made after they'd both had a chance to eat and to rest.

"This isPilar ," he said. "The reasons are complicated, but I have promised on my honor as a Sinclair that she'll not only be welcomed here, but also protected."

Two sets of eyes, one sapphire and the other hazel, fastened on the girl's face before they returned questioningly to his.

"Protected?" Dare repeated carefully.

"The reasons for thatare not something I wish to go into now, if you don't mind," Sebastian said.

"Perhaps after we've eaten."

It was as near a warning off as he could give without revealing that he was hiding something. Without waiting for their response, although he had no real doubt as to what that would be, he turned back to take Harry's batman by the elbow, bringing him forward.

"And this isMalford . My...valet," he said. That was no more the whole truth, of course, than his introduction ofPilar had been. "If Watson would see to his comfort, I would be grateful. We've all traveled a very long way."

"Certainly," Dare said, that dark brow still raised.

The earl's eyes, focused intently on Sebastian's face, said a great deal more, but at least he wasn't asking the awkward questions he would ask eventually. Although Sebastian had had time to prepare to answer them, he still wasn't perfectly sure what he would say when his brothers demanded an explanation for what he'd done.

They had always considered him reckless and impulsive. He imagined this episode was unlikely to change that perception.

"I think that perhaps introductions are in order."

The suggestion, which had been made in a strong but unmistakably feminine voice, brought every Sinclair's gaze to the same doorway from which Dare and Ian had emerged moments before. Two women stood together there.

The one who had spoken was tall and, despite the cunning placement of an embroidered silk shawl, the ends of which had been crossed over her waistline, she was very obviously pregnant. Her hair was so light as to appear gilt in the glow of the overhead chandelier. It was arranged in curls on top of her head, which was held as regally as a queen's on a long, graceful neck. Her eyes were almost the same crystalline blue as those of two of the three Sinclair brothers.

The other woman, in contrast, seemed little more than a girl. She was both smaller and less imposing than the blonde. Her eyes, a warm brown, were focused not on the men, but on the girl standing at Sebastian's side. And she was smiling.

"We are in the process of making our introductions," the earl said.

"I meant introductions of us, my dear," his countess responded."Unless, of course, you consider us in some wayunpresentable ."

"I believe I'm the one he considersunpresentable ," Sebastian said, walking toward them. "He's right, of course. You must be Dare'sElizabeth . Forgive me for appearing before you in all my dirt, as well as for disrupting your dinner table."

By that time he had reached the pair. He wasn't sure what the proper procedure for greeting sisters-in-law might be, never having met one before. His indecision lasted only a second or two--long enough, however, to discern a gleam of amusement inElizabeth 's eyes.

When she put out her hand, he took it into his. The contrast between his grimy, sunburned fingers and the white patrician ones she'd offered was as glaringly obvious as her pregnancy. Undeterred by the incongruity, he brought her fingers to his lips, pressing a kiss on the backs of them just as if he were bathed, clean shaven, and properly attired in evening clothes like his brothers. When he looked up, still bent over her hand,Elizabeth was smiling at him.

"Welcome home, Sebastian Sinclair," she said softly. "Now, finally, the circle is complete."

Again that peculiar tightness thickened his throat, so that he couldn't even attempt a response. He turned instead to smile at the smaller of the two women, who was waiting patiently by the countess's side.

"And I'm Anne," she said.

"Ian's Anne."

A subtle change occurred within her eyes. It didn't destroy the friendliness Sebastian had found there, but there had been some flicker of emotion, an unexpected darkness perhaps, in the aura of welcoming acceptance that had seemed to surround her.

"Ian's Anne," she repeated, as if the words meant something beyond the simple acknowledgment of her identity that he had intended. "Welcome home, dear Sebastian," she said, extending her hand and then pressing her other atop his when he took it. "We are all so very pleased to have you here at last."

Her voice was as attractive as her eyes, he decided. Although Anne would never have the commanding presence Dare'sElizabeth exuded effortlessly, she possessed something that was equally compelling.A warmth which immediately put one at ease.

"And your friends?" she said now, freeing her hand from his. "I believe Elizabeth and I missed your introduction of them."

She crossed to where his brothersstood, watching Sebastian's meeting with their wives. At Anne's reminder, they all looked towardPilar and poor Harry's batman, still waiting by the door, almost forgotten in the unabashed joy of this homecoming.

"I'm Anne Sinclair," his new sister-in-law said toPilar . And then, the gesture seeming both uncontrived and sincere, she put her arm gently around the girl's shoulders. "You must be exhausted after your journey. Please forgive our rudeness. Or at least accept our apologies for it. We're so delighted that Sebastian has come home safely, you see."

At the moment when Ian's wife touched her,Pilar's back had visibly stiffened, so much so that Sebastian was afraid she intended to step away from that embrace or perhaps even to say something cutting about its familiarity. Instead, after a moment she seemed to force herself to relax.

"Thank you," shesaid, her smile as unconsciously regal as that of the countess.

Why shouldn't it be? Sebastian thought. She is, after all, the daughter of a count.

"You've had a very long journey," Anne said. "After you've eaten, you shall have a hot bath and a clean nightgown and be tucked up in one ofElizabeth 's comfortable beds. I've always thought that there's nothing like a bath and clean clothing to make you feel much more the thing--no matter what chaos is going on around you. And men never think about those things, of course."