Secrets of Seduction by Nicole Jordan

was such a thing as being too honorable,” he said dryly.
    “Oh, there is. A surfeit runs in my family as well. Take my brother, for instance. He might very well call you out to defend
my
honor. Trust me, you don’t want Quinn to know what happened between us last night.”
    It was said lightly but her inference was obvious. Ather audacity, another shaft of unwilling amusement pricked Hawk. Not only had she intruded into his home and upended his hard-won peace, but she was hinting that she had the leverage to blackmail him.
    Hawk shook his head. “You can’t win with that argument, sweeting. You won’t tell your brother for fear he would insist on our marriage.”
    She sighed and dimpled. “Alas, that’s true. You are too astute, my lord. But I still need help finding my uncle’s former love, and I cannot do it alone. I
need
you.”
    Her pretense at helplessness rang false, as Hawk was sure she knew, for she tried a different tack.
    “Righting wrongs is your league’s primary mission, is it not? Well, what happened to my uncle is a profound wrong. One you could help me set right.” Her tone turned earnest. “Just imagine how lonely he is. He has no wife or children of his own. Even if she is no longer alive, it would mean so much to him to know that he had sired a child with his true love.”
    When he remained silent, Skye offered another argument. “I will make you a simple bargain. If you will help me with my uncle’s plight, I will help you with preparing your house for your bride.” She quickly raised a hand, preventing Hawk’s immediate rejection. “Before you say no, let me explain. I can send for Aunt Bella this morning to act as chaperone. And until she arrives, I’m certain it would be possible to ask your temporary housekeeper or one of the other village matrons to stay a night or two at the castle.”
    “Searching for your uncle’s lover could take weeks or even months. I can’t afford that much time away.”
    “But perhaps you can. You said construction wasset to start at week’s end, and you have hired an architect to supervise. By the time you return here, the repairs will be well under way. And I can work on hiring your household staff while you are away. There is so much to be done.… Not only clearing out the years of dirt and cobwebs but decorating and refurbishing also. Aunt Isabella has excellent taste, as I’m sure you know. And actually so do I.”
    Hawk shook his head in disbelief. Lady Skye was trying to commandeer his life and arrange matters to her satisfaction, but ever so sweetly, like a governess making the bitter medicine go down more easily. Only she was like no governess he’d ever seen.
    Hawk was struck again by how novel she was. Novel, unique, fresh … and strong-willed. She was like a damned burr under his saddle. No doubt she counted on her persistence driving him to distraction until he gave in.
    “When we are done with the house,” she continued, “I will even help you court Miss Olwen. My family has a great deal of influence in society. With my brother being an earl and my cousin Ash a marquess, we can open doors to her that would otherwise be closed.”
    He had no doubt that every objection he made, Lady Skye would come up with a solution. Her suggestions were eminently logical but pointless. He had no choice but to refuse her request for help, since he had serious obligations that took precedence.
    “Please just say you will think about it,” she pleaded. She must have realized he would say no such thing, for she gave an exaggerated sigh. “I suspected you would be this stubborn.”
    “You are calling
me
stubborn?”
    “Yes. But I am not one to admit defeat without a fight. I tend to remain optimistic, even when a cause seems hopeless. And I have faith you will eventually do the right thing,” she added serenely.
    Hawk gave a grunt of exasperation. “Don’t count on it.”
    “I am very impressed, my lord. You’ve gone for five entire minutes