Free Secrets of Seduction by Nicole Jordan Page B

she reached the edge of the meadow where he’d come to a halt. She looked as charming and lovely as a summer morning.
    Her skin had an enchanting flush that only enhanced her beauty, bringing to mind the potent memory of how she tasted, how she’d responded. He could still feel her beneath him, writhing with the desire he’d awakened in her.…
    Fiercely disciplining the riot of his senses, Hawk eyed her disapprovingly, making it clear by his stare that he was not happy to see her. “What the devil are you doing here, Lady Skye?”
    “I saw you riding off on your stallion from my bedchamber window, so I went to your stables to await your return. When you never appeared, I decided to come to you. I feared you wouldn’t give me the chance to speak otherwise.” When his frowning gaze narrowed on her mount, she added hastily, “This is one of my own carriage horses. I didn’t want to take one of yours without permission.”
    “You balked at acting without my permission?” he drawled, his gruff reply designed to keep her at a distance. “How astonishing.”
    His sarcasm won a quick smile from her. “I know you are protective of your horses, and I did not want to get your grooms in trouble.”
    Lady Skye’s consideration impressed him, but Hawk was not about to let her see it. In the face of his dispassion, she went on doggedly.
    “I have been watching you from afar these past few minutes, Lord Hawkhurst. I had heard you were an amazing horseman, but you look like a centaur, a seamless part of your horse.” She glanced pointedly at the stallion, who was standing quietly and obediently now. “Your grooms told me that splendid creature is said to be rather wild. No one else will dare mount him. How do you manage it?”
    “You did not come here to discuss my horsemanship,” he returned impatiently.
    She offered him another smile, this one conciliatory. “Well, no. I was worried that I had made you angry.”
    At that vast understatement, a spark of sardonic amusement stirred inside Hawk.
    “Actually, I wished to apologize to you,” Lady Skye offered.
    “Indeed.”
    “Yes. Not for last night. I am not sorry for … mating with you. It was too remarkable to regret. But I am extremely sorry for complicating your life. I truly did not mean to put you in such a quandary.”
    Hawk didn’t know whether to be flattered or exasperated by her efforts to disarm him. He kept his stare level, resisting her charm.
    “I hoped we might calmly discuss our dilemma.”
    “There is nothing to discuss. If you are carrying my child, you will marry me.”
    Her features remained calm. “You are right. We would have no choice. If it turns out that I am with child, I will marry you. But I hope that isn’t likely.”
    “When were your last courses?”
    Her eyes widened, and she looked a trifle embarrassed.Young ladies did not discuss such delicate matters as female bodily functions with gentlemen.
    “You are certainly frank, my lord.”
    “I was married for several years, remember? Carnal relations depended on my wife’s courses.”
    “I finished mine a few days ago.”
    “So we have several more weeks before the question is settled.”
    “Yes. We will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, I have a proposal for you.”
    Hawk cocked his head. “I am listening.”
    “I want to remain here at the castle until we learn if I have conceived. It will be only a short time, a month at most.”
    His mouth twisted at her perseverance. “You can wait elsewhere just as well, Lady Skye. You cannot stay here. The risk of scandal is too great.”
    “My family regularly lives on the edge of scandal. I am not concerned.”
    “You should be.”
    She returned his unyielding gaze steadily. “I am not a green girl, Lord Hawkhurst. I make my own decisions, and I am willing to live with the consequences.”
    “But I am not.”
    Skye lifted a well-shaped eyebrow. “Do you know your trouble? You are just too honorable.”
    “I didn’t know there