Free Lords of Desire by Virginia Henley, Victoria Dahl, Sally Mackenzie, Kristi Astor

removed her dress and petticoat, and draped them to protect the delicate gifts of silk and jade. By this time, Falcon was naked and, not to be outdone, Tory stripped off her drawers and stays. She followed him as he strode to the bridge. He raised his arms and launched himself into the air, diving down to the water like a sea hawk. He surfaced laughing and flung the wet hair from his eyes. “Your turn!”
    Tory, rooted to the spot, was overwhelmed by the height. “I can’t. I don’t know how to dive…. I’m afraid!”
    “Darling…don’t be afraid. If you can’t dive, then jump…. I’m here to catch you.”
    She stared down, striving to banish her apprehension. She wasn’t afraid of the water, only the height. She gathered her courage, focused her attention on Falcon, and made her decision to place her trust in him. She shut her eyes and jumped.
    The water closed over her head as her body plunged deep. As she started to come up, she felt a moment’s panic as the river’s current threatened to carry her away. She surfaced like a cork, bobbing on the water. To her great relief, Falcon’s powerful arms were there, keeping her safe as he had promised. Together they swam in a wide arc around theSeacock. He has taught me to take risks. It makes life so much sweeter.
    CHAPTER 6
    “When are you hosting your next entertainment? I need time to finish my new gown.”
    Pandora lay at Victoria’s feet, demonstrating that the pair of females had grown quite used to each other.
    “You can actually sew? Is there no end to your accomplishments, my beauty?” Falcon asked with amusement as he sat at his desk, marking symbols against the names in his journal.
    “Your guests will be agog when they see me in the green silk. I shall set the fashion with my risqué Grecian design.”
    “The jade earrings you’re wearing and the silk are from China.”
    She shook her head to make the jade earbobs swing. “Since I haven’t the faintest notion how females dress in China, I shall sew a Grecian robe that bares one shoulder. When is the party?”
    Falcon consulted a chart that showed the lunar tides. “I need a couple of moonless nights or at least nights when moonrise occurs in the late hours.” A visit to the Mermaid Tavern in Rye had supplied him with a list of vessels that would be bringing cargo to the Cinque Ports for the next month.
    He pored over the chart, knowing a merchant ship was due to dock in the Port of Winchelsey in five days. “How about a week from today? I’ll send out the usual invitations.”
    Tory drew in a swift breath as she felt cold fingers touch her heart. She had been thinking of enjoyment only; she had forgotten that Falcon mixed business with pleasure.
    Fear of risks he would take and dread of deeds he might commit made her temper flare.
    “Why do you have to be so calculating? Why does everything in your life have to be illicit?”
    His dark eyes studied her for long moments. “I give you free rein to do whatever you wish. Can you not extend me the same courtesy, mistress?”
    “I am not insanely reckless! Come to think of it, madness runs in your bloodline.”
    “Ah yes, claiming to have traveled through time is perfectly normal,” he drawled.
    She jumped up. “You mocking swine. Go to the devil!” When Tory shouted, the hairs along Pandora’s neck stood on end and the leopard growled in her throat. Tory threw Hawkhurst a furious glance. “Now see what you’ve done!” She stalked from the room.
    The lovers avoided each other for the next forty-eight hours, yet both found that the time apart seemed endless. To Victoria, the days and nights estranged from Falcon were joyless. To Hawkhurst they were unendurable. He held out until the third night, but when the hour grew late, his patience snapped.
    Falcon’s mood was dangerous as he descended to her chamber. He had every intention of breaking down the door if it was locked against him. To his surprise, it swung open when he tested it. A