Secrets of Seduction Read Online Free Page B

here in my reticule, if you care to see it.”
    Hawk deliberately ignored her offer. “Even if I were inclined to help you, I haven’t the time just now.”
    Lady Skye nodded sagely. “My aunt told me why you returned to England. You are preparing to make a marriage of convenience.”
    “Is there nothing Bella kept to herself?” Hawk murmured, his tone halfway between exasperation and annoyance.
    “I told you, you should not blame her,” she replied amiably. “I had to worm the information about yoursecret organization out of her.” Her smile was rueful, almost apologetic, and completely charming. “When I am determined, I usually get my way.”
    Hawk made a scoffing sound, which Lady Skye ignored in turn. “Aunt Isabella is very fond of you, Lord Hawkhurst, and believes you will help me, in part because she says you enjoy a good mystery as much as a challenge.”
    Hawk glanced down at the letter on his desk. Bella had indeed predicted that he would relish the challenge and said he would be doing her an immense favor if he were to help her niece.
    Amazingly enough, he was actually tempted to agree, and not simply for the enjoyment of testing his skills. He wanted an excuse to delay his courtship. He had no desire to ever marry again, especially to a shy young lady barely out of the schoolroom. Yet he ardently wanted to ensure the league’s future, as well as to fulfill an obligation to Sir Gawain Olwen, the aging leader of the Guardians who hoped to retire shortly.
    There was no one Hawk esteemed more. The baronet had not only revived the clandestine league to its original purpose and steered it with a steady hand in the decades-long fight against French domination, he’d become mentor, guide, and fatherly role model to numerous members over the years, particularly Hawk.
    Sir Gawain had been his salvation when he was mired in grief, giving him a reason to live by bringing him into the order and training him to be one of its most effective agents. He would have gone half-mad otherwise.
    It irked Hawk that Isabella had disclosed so much about his private affairs to Lady Skye. The Guardians’secrets were not his to share. He’d sworn an oath of allegiance many years ago. Nor could he reveal the real reason he’d chosen to court this particular young lady—because he needed a bride of Guardian lineage in order to take over leadership, as required by the charter. Headquartered on the Isle of Cyrene off the southern coast of Spain, the Guardians of the Sword was centuries old.
    Sir Gawain’s great-niece was a blood descendant of one of the original founders, but while she fit the necessary lineage requirements, she was only nineteen and a quiet, gentle girl who seemed afraid of her own shadow and tended to swoon at the slightest provocation. Wedding her was purely a cold-blooded proposition. But to carry on the work of the Guardians, he was willing to sacrifice for the good of the organization. Hawk would be named Sir Gawain’s successor and would lead in his wife’s name and those of his future children, if any.
    Therefore, he’d decided to wed the girl, despite his personal disinclinations. Moreover, he had already set events in motion, Hawk reminded himself as he reached for his glass and took a swallow of brandy. He had a path to follow for the immediate future, and it didn’t involve haring off to Ireland, chasing after someone else’s fugitive lover who may or may not still be alive.
    “I’m afraid I cannot help you. I can’t spare the time.”
    Skye did not seem distressed by his answer. “I thought that might be the case. I suppose you must effect repairs to your house in order to welcome a new bride and offer her a worthy home.”
    Hawk’s gaze narrowed on her, but he shrugged. “I cannot bring a bride to a mausoleum.”
    “No, certainly not.” She hesitated before saying softly, “Your return to Hawkhurst Castle cannot have been easy for you.”
    No, indeed
. Hawk took another long, burning