“Did your friend de Grenville survive?”
“Barely. Thank God we had your carriage. I left him in the care of his majordomo. For a Devon sailor, though, he has a mighty weak stomach.”
Skye bit back the laughter bubbling in her throat. It would have been unkind. “I’m going away for a few days,” she said quietly. “Though this is a secret, I will be upriver at an inn called the Ducks and Drake. Should there be an emergency you’ll know where to find me.”
“You’ll not be alone.” It was a statement.
“No, I’ll not be alone, Robbie.”
Robbie sighed. “Skye, lass, I’ll not have you hurt. Southwood is such a cold bastard.”
“Not with me, Robbie. Besides, though this will sound terrible, I do not love him. I doubt I shall ever love anyone again. Khalid is too strong in my memory. But I do like Lord Southwood. And Robbie, you know that I must have a powerful protector. Come spring, you’ll be off again, and be gone for months. I am a woman alone. I have no family but my daughter. My whole life began with Khalid. I have no past. With the Queen’s charter, our business should flourish and with the Earl’s protection I will be free to run it, and free from the bothersome advances of other men.”
“But the price, Skye.”
“Being Southwood’s acknowledged mistress?” she laughed.“What else is there for me? Marriage? With whom? And you know that I need wealth to give me the power and respectability that will secure Willow’s future. I loved Khalid and I was proud of him, but what future would my daughter have if it were known here that her father was the great Whoremaster of Algiers? No, Robbie, the price is not greater than the rewards. The Earl of Lynmouth has never had an acknowledged mistress of my stature, and I don’t expect him to replace me soon. When Willow is grown she will be an heiress with a powerful ‘uncle.’ I shall be able to make a good match for her.”
Robbie shrugged. “You’ve thought it all out, I see, as usual. There’s no arguing with a logical woman. Should I wish you happiness, then?”
“He loves me, Robbie. It’s not just that he’s said it. He means it. A woman knows when she’s being lied to, Robbie, and I hope I’m not easy to fool.”
“Ah, lass. I only want you happy.”
“I know, Robbie. Don’t fret. I’m not unhappy.”
He patted her hand awkwardly, and she bent and kissed his ruddy cheek. “Oh, Robbie, what would I do without you? You’re my best friend!”
In the early afternoon Robbie stood in the doorway and watched sadly as she rode off down the drive of Greenwood, keeping her red horse to a slow trot. Earlier he had gone down to the Thames and arranged for a waterman to take her little trunk upriver to the Ducks and Drakes. He sighed. He wished he were happier about the liaison.
Skye had been radiant when she departed. She wasn’t worried and enjoyed herself very much. Dressed quite elegantly in a black velvet riding habit, ecru lace at the sleeves and a froth of lace bubbling up at the neckline as well, she cut a superb figure. Her cloak was made up of alternating bands of sable fur and black velvet with heavy carved gold frog closings. The attached hood was edged in the same dark sable, and made a perfect contrast to her creamy complexion. Her black boots were of the finest Spanish leather, her cream-colored scented gloves of French kid. Her big red gelding adored her with a singular devotion.
As Skye had explained to Robbie, she and the Earl would meet a mile or so from the Strand, on the river road. They were less likely to be seen together at that point. The afternoon was cold and clear, and Skye fought the urge to set her horse acantering. Since noon was the dinner hour, few people were out. She had ridden for someminutes when she heard the steady beat of hooves behind her and turned to see a tall man riding a large black stallion.
“Señora Goya del Fuentes, I bid you a good day.”
“Sir?”
“Niall, Lord Burke. We met last night at the Earl of Lynmouth’s gala.”
Her gaze swept over the tall dark man with the silvery eyes. He was really quite attractive, she thought, but he looked disapproving of her, and Skye found herself growing annoyed.
“Oh, yes, of course. How is your wife’s headache, my lord?”
“Gone, thank you.” He moved his horse next to hers. “Do you generally ride unescorted, madam? A dangerous practice, I would say.”
“I am meeting someone just a short ways away, my lord. I scarcely thought a groom necessary,” she dismissed his question. How dared he criticize her! But Lord Burke was not easily dismissed.
“I understand you were raised in Algiers.” The silvery eyes looked at her searchingly.
“Yes, my lord, I was.”
“Your parents were Irish?”
“So I was told, my lord.”
“Didn’t you know them?” He was incredulous.
“I do not remember them, my lord. I was brought by a sea captain to the convent of St. Mary and placed in the care of the nuns there.”
