Clockwork Blue by Gloria Harchar

vulture.
     
    Thinking of the Earl reminded her of their assignation. As she closed the door behind her and followed the path toward the back of the cottage, she remembered that he would want a report on her success with her father. She sensed he was not a patient man. And he would know no boundaries when it came to securing his prey. But she refused to be any man ' s prey.
     
    She headed for the stables wondering how difficult it would be to train a Falcon to the hand.
     

Chapter 6
     
    Falcon sat on his huge black stallion, appearing as relaxed as if he were lounging in her father ' s favorite Georgian- style chair, but his gaze was fixed intently on Nicola . That he could afford a mount like that in addition to a roustabout wasn't lost on her. Consciousness over the awkward-looking, rusty barrelabout pricked her. Shame over that prick of embarrassment washed through her. Ramsey was so proud of the invention. That was what was important.
     
    S cents from the nearby rose bushes washed over her, even as s he r esisted the urge to shift her feet while sh e stood by the barrel about. She glanced across a grassy knoll in the park and concentrated on the boys who were playing with a toy-sized replica of the fashionable hot-air bal loon. Returning her gaze to Fal con, she discovered his regard still on her.
     
    " Is your father softening toward me? " he asked.
     
    That he held all the cards caused her no small amount of agitation. She gave in to temptation and fidgeted, then forced herself to lean against the steam-powered vehicle . " I believe he is, my lord. "
     
    Falcon moved his horse closer , and she found herself admiring his ease with the large beast, a stallion she sensed was as wild as his owner . She reminded herself Falcon was dangerous, capable of blackmail, extortion, enslaving decent young men to convict hulks, shipping them to desolate lands such as New South Wales and all sorts of other dastardly deeds . Yes , his ruthlessness might be the reason h er heart raced, her mouth dried . His slate- colored gaze seemed more treacherous among the buttercups and bright sunlight than in a darkened workhouse.
     
    She coughed over the wad of cotton that seemed to fluff in her mouth. " Father is considering having you over to supper. That is a feat in itself. "
     
    " Liar. " Allegro's tiny voice near her ear startled Nicola so that she nearly lost her seat. How dare he upbraid her. She swatted at him. He dodged, his rainbow wings appeari ng as light as wisps of vapor. T hen he landed on a nearby daffodil, his elfin mouth curving up in a delighted smile.
     
    Falcon watched. " What is it? A bee? "
     
    She studied his intent expression and her heart did a strange backward somersault. " Did you see something? " Had he seen the pixie? If so, perhaps she wasn't the only one on this Earth the pixies could go to for help in their ridiculous missions.
     
    " No , nothing . But I would assume this profusion of flowers might attract insects. "
     
    Disappointment tasted bitter on her tongue. But what had she expected? Nothing had ever come easily to her, and she didn ' t expect the situation to change now. For now she was tethered to the pixies—and to Falcon. " Or other strange creatures, " she responded, giving Allegro a meaningful glare.
     
    Allegro's laugh reminded Nicola of a trilling flute .
     
    Giving her a sharp look, Falcon next scanned the area in which Glissando sprawled on a downy petal. " What are you staring at? "
     
    Again, she couldn ' t believe she would be so ridiculous as to think that Falcon could see the mythical creatures. A hard, cynical man like the Earl would never believe in anything so whimsical. " Nothing. I ' ve discovered a pesky gnat in the vicinity. "
     
    Allegro ' s attention wandered across the knoll and he stiffened. " Cogs !"
     
    She would have smiled at his adaptation to her exclamation if she hadn't been so angry at him . It was his and Glissando's fault that she was in this