"I see I shall have to talk with her," Aurora muttered under her breath.
"I should talk with her as well about her shameless conduct. Imagine my surprise to see the two of you galloping past like wild Indians." He shook his head disapprovingly, although there was an undertone of laughter in his voice. "I would have expected it of Raven, but you, love…"
"Raven isn't to blame," Aurora admitted reluctantly. "The fault is entirely mine. I instigated the race."
"Did you?" His eyebrow lifted. "You mean to say you've been corrupting my sister, rather than the other way around?"
"I should not have, I know, but the horses were fresh, and there were so few people about to see… And, well, the horses did need exercise, after all."
Nicholas regarded her with amusement. "Have I uncovered a secret vice, my love?"
She bit her lip. Riding was her passion and her vice. It was her one freedom, her chance to escape her confining upbringing and the restrictive conventions governing widowhood. "As a widow, I am not allowed many liberties," she began defensively.
"So when you come to the park, you allow yourself to go wild."
"It isn't as bad as all that!"
"Oh, I don't think it bad in the slightest. The exercise has flushed your cheeks and brightened your eyes… Amazingly sensual." Nicholas's measured gaze swept over her, while his tone became low and vibrant. "You look as if you've just risen from your bed after a night of passionate lovemaking."
Aurora flushed, hardly knowing how to respond.
"It only confirms what I've suspected all along."
"What do you suspect?" she asked warily.
"That there's a hidden fire smoldering beneath that cool, regal air of yours."
She was flustered by his intimacy, yet she could not look away.
"Your eyes truly are an incredible blue," Nicholas said, his voice taking on a husky note.
Wondering how he could see her eyes, Aurora reached up to touch the brim of her hat and suddenly realized she had forgotten about her widow's veil. Somehow it had blown back, leaving her face exposed. Dismayed, she settled the film of plum lace into place, concealing her features from his penetrating gaze.
"How ungenerous of you to hide yourself away," Nicholas remarked, the laughter back in his voice. "I was enjoying the view."
"What have you been doing with yourself these past two days?" Aurora asked, determined to change the subject.
"Have you missed me, then?"
She gave him an arch look, which she then realized he could no longer see because of her veil. "I was simply worried that you might have embroiled yourself in some kind of trouble."
His smile was pure, unadulterated charm. "Whatever would lead you to think that?"
"What indeed?" Aurora replied wryly with unwilling amusement, struggling to resist his undeniable allure.
"Actually, I've been working on establishing my credentials. With Wycliff out of town, I'm finding it difficult. Your countrymen tend to look down their noses at Americans, no matter how loyal they are to the Crown."
"It would perhaps help if you were loyal to the Crown."
"Or if I had more blue blood. I suppose I need to find a sponsor to endorse me, particularly if I hope to move in your elevated social circles. Perhaps I should prevail upon you to introduce me to your highbrowed acquaintances."
She was exasperated by his devil-may-care air. "I should think you would be the least bit concerned about the danger of flaunting yourself about."
"Oh, I won't purposefully flaunt my existence, but I won't hide in the shadows, either."
"I still fail to see why you don't just return home to America."
"Because I don't want to abandon my lovely wife."
Worried both by his statement and that he might be overheard, Aurora glanced over her shoulder and was relieved to find her groom was still a discreet distance away. "You needn't advertise our relationship to the entire world!"
"I am not the one who is railing like a termagant in public, love."
"I am not railing."
"No?"
There was a maddening undertone of enjoyment in his voice, and Aurora regretted that she was too well-bred to box his ears and that she held such a strong aversion to physical violence. Instead, she took a deep breath and bit her tongue, vowing not to allow herself to be provoked.
It was hard, however, when Nicholas seemed determined to stir up trouble.
"Speaking of your acquaintances…" he said thoughtfully. "If I'm not mistaken, there is one now."
Glancing farther down the Row, Aurora recognized the approaching horseman as the Earl of Clune. Her heart seemed to falter. "Oh, my word… Clune. He is one of your acquaintances as well. He told me you were once a member of his Hellfire League."
"For a short while I was, during my visit here three years ago. What of it?"
"He is sure to recognize you. You should leave at once, Nicholas, before he sees you."
"I told you, I have no intention of hiding."
"You can't possibly mean to show yourself to him!"
"You will remember that I am Brandon Deverill, your cousin by marriage. There should be no problem. Smile, love, and pretend you are enjoying my company."
It was too late to do anything else, Aurora realized, since Clune was nearly upon them. He flashed his charming rake's smile as he drew his mount to a halt before her.
"Ah, the most beautiful widow in London," he said with a graceful bow. "And the most accomplished horsewoman, as well. The combination is entrancing."
"My Lord Clune," Aurora murmured, acknowledging the acquaintance with a polite nod of her head.
"I don't believe I need ask the outcome of your race this morning, since you always win."
She made a supreme effort not to look at Nicholas as she tried to play down the race. "My horses enjoy the exercise."
"But your competition could be stronger. Perhaps some morning you might prefer a challenger other than your ward. I would be happy to offer my services whenever you wish."
At his wickedly suggestive tone, Aurora felt like squirming in her saddle. His lordship was clearly flirting with her. "Thank you, my lord, but I am quite content riding with my ward."
She had hoped he would move on without noticing Nicholas, but Clune's gaze turned to him next.
"Have we met before? You bear a strong resemblance to someone I know. This lady's late husband, I believe."
Aurora held her breath, while Nicholas smiled coolly. "That is not surprising, since I am Sabine's cousin. Brandon Deverill, at your service, sir."
"The likeness is remarkable."
Nicholas met his gaze directly. "So I am told."
Aurora was unnerved by how closely Clune was studying him. But his lordship merely bowed and offered his condolences. "An excellent sportsman and comrade, your cousin Nick. As game as they come. I was sorry to hear of his death, for I grew quite fond of him during our brief acquaintance. You are an American, Mr. Deverill?"
"By birth, yes. But since my political leanings don't quite coincide with my government's, I thought it judicious to take refuge in England until the war ends."
"You might find your acceptance here rather tricky, especially since your cousin was hanged for piracy."
"I believe Lord Wycliff will vouch for me if you have concerns about my loyalties."
"No, no concerns." Clune's mouth curled in a wry smile. "I have few political leanings at all. But if you find you have need of patronage other than Wycliff's, I should be happy to claim your acquaintance, in remembrance of my late friend Nick."
Nicholas's response was far cooler than Aurora expected. "That is generous of you, sir. I shall keep your offer in mind."
Clune turned and smiled his charming smile at Aurora. "Well, I will let you ride on. You won't want your horse to stand any longer. But I hope you will keep my other offer in mind, my lady. If you care to race some morning, I will be delighted to oblige."