"Ah, yes, I will have to remember."
"In fact, we should not be seen together in private at all."
A frown creasing her brow, she cast a cautious glance over her shoulder. O'Malley had taken up a position outside the stall's half door along with his mount, screening her and Nicholas from prying eyes.
"I sent my maid home just now," Raven said in a concerned voice, "so she wouldn't see me talking to you, but I didn't consider the danger to you… It is quite dangerous for you even to be in England, isn't it?"
"There is the possibility that I might be apprehended as an escaped prisoner, yes."
"Why ever did you come here then?"
"I wanted to see how my hoyden of a sister fared, of course," Nicholas said teasingly. He surveyed her stylish riding habit of forest green velvet critically. With her vivacity and fresh beauty, Raven didn't look as if she'd risen unfashionably early after dancing half the night away. "From all appearances, you are doing quite well for yourself."
Her smile was wry. "Better than well. You would be proud of me, Nick… ah, Mr. Deverill. I recall you once said teaching me to behave with decorum would be like trying to turn a wild filly into a lady's mount. Well, I am quite tame now. Of course, a good deal of the credit goes to Aurora."
"Indeed?"
"I don't know what I would have done without her, truly. She is extremely accomplished and so highly regarded… You couldn't have chosen anyone better to advise me. With her guidance, I've been able to face society's lions without being devoured alive. And if I am not betrothed by the end of the Season to an earl at the very least, I shall be very disappointed."
His amused expression sobered. "You're certain you can be happy with a cold-blooded marriage to an earl?"
Raven's blue eyes turned just as sober. "My happiness is beside the point. Mama wished me to make an advantageous match and marry into the nobility, and I won't fail her, Nicholas. As for cold-blooded, you know I have never wanted love. I won't make the same mistake Mama made, letting passion destroy my life, pining after a man even on my deathbed. And besides, being the mistress of my own household will be far preferable to living under my Aunt Dalrymple's thumb, where I cannot say two words without being reprimanded."
The stubborn set of her jaw gave way to a smile. "Thank heavens for Aurora. She has been so genuinely kind, and she shares my love of horses. I'm to meet her in the park for a gallop in a short while…But enough about me, Nicholas. Tell me, how did Aurora take the news of your reincarnation?"
"She wasn't quite as delighted as you were," he said dryly.
"Only because she doesn't know you well enough yet." Raven's eyes grew wide. "Oh, my word, do you mean to take her back to America with you as your bride?"
Nicholas hesitated. "We haven't worked out our future yet. I imagine Aurora needs time simply to get over her shock at my reappearance."
"But you mean to claim her?"
"That is still in question," he admitted, not wanting to sound overconfident in his powers of persuasion.
"Your marriage was legal, was it not?"
"Entirely. But the issue is more complex than mere legality. Our marriage was supposed to be only temporary. I'm not certain Aurora wants me for a lifetime – or that she thinks I would make very good husband material. I'm known far more for my wild adventures than my stable respectability."
"Yes, but I remember you saying it was nearing time for you to settle down as your father wished. And I think any woman would be fortunate to have you for a husband," Raven declared loyally.
"But then you are prejudiced on my behalf, puss."
"I suppose." She frowned. "Well, you will simply have to persuade her. It shouldn't be impossible. Aurora is quite independent minded, but no one has more ruthless charm than you do. You managed to convince me to forgive my English relatives for the horrible way they treated Mama, when that was the last thing I wanted."
"We'll see," Nicholas said noncommittally.
"I do hope… well, I would like to see Aurora happy. I'm certain she is lonely, being confined to her house for days on end due to her mourning. Your presence here will at least offer her a diversion. How long do you plan to stay?"
"I haven't yet decided. A few weeks, perhaps. The news of my escape will reach England sooner or later, and with a price on my head, the risk of discovery will be greater." His sister's expression grew concerned, but he forestalled her comment. "You had best be off on your ride, Miss Kendrick, before we invite comment."
Raven nodded reluctantly. "Where can I find you if I should need to speak to you?"
"I intend to take rooms at the Clarendon."
She kissed his cheek, then gave him a saucy smile as she accepted the Thoroughbred's reins to lead it from the stall. "Perhaps I will see you in the park some morning, Mr. Deverill!"
Nicholas found himself smiling fondly as he watched her leave. When he was alone, however, his smile faded. As was her nature, Raven had gone straight to the heart of the matter: whether or not he and Aurora intended to acknowledge their marriage.
For a moment he wondered if he should reconsider his plan to claim her as his wife. He wanted Aurora physically; there was no longer the slightest doubt in his mind. Kissing her this morning had been as stunningly sensual as four months ago, when he'd taken her luscious, virginal body in their marriage bed. The hunger he'd felt for her then hadn't diminished in the least; if anything, the craving was stronger.
The feeling was more than lust, though. It was like a barely banked fire, quietly smoldering, waiting to be kindled to an uncontrollable rage. And though she'd tried to resist it, Aurora had responded to him with an answering fire.
His loins hardened merely at the remembrance.
Nick ran a hand roughly through his now-dark hair. It had taken an almost superhuman effort to sever their embrace this morning. Yet he hadn't trusted himself to continue touching her without making love to her. And that, to his mind, would cement their marriage.
If they were eventually to dissolve their union, he would damned well have to keep his hands off her. It wouldn't be at all fair or honorable to slake his desire if he only meant to abandon Aurora. And if he were indiscreet enough to be discovered in her bed – or worse, get her with child – the scandal would be unavoidable. He most certainly didn't want to mire her in scandal, or his sister, either.
Nicholas frowned. If he had any sense, he would probably give up the notion of trying to make their marriage work. Aurora was adamantly set against their union. And she had absolved him of any responsibility for her. He needn't feel any guilt over shirking his obligation to her, needn't let his conscience flay him, as it insisted on doing.
Her determined resistance of his advances perplexed him, though. She had surrendered eagerly enough on their wedding night. Since then, however, she had subtly changed from the innocent young lady he had wed. She seemed stronger now, more rigid and self-contained, fiercely determined to close herself off from any emotion that resembled passion.
But she had been hurt before, he had to remember. She'd lost the man she loved, and the experience had left a deep scar. Nick felt himself tense with jealousy each time she mentioned her former betrothed, despite the fact that possessiveness was unlike him. But the man was dead. And he should make allowances for her past grief.
Besides… he thought he could make her forget her loss if he put his mind to it. He had never yet met a woman who was unsusceptible to his charm when he chose to exert it. He could overcome her objections to their marriage if he truly wished to.
So, did he wish to?
Was he mad to pursue a woman who was so clearly unwilling to be his wife? Certainly it would be safer to leave England altogether. But then, he had never found much appeal in safety. Since he could first crawl, he had taken risks purely for the excitement of it. He preferred living on the edge, probably because danger made him feel so intensely alive. Accepting fate's challenges was a thrill more intoxicating than any opiate.