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But she’d disappeared in Uster too

Then they’d just have to go farther away China, perhaps Or Africa At least get the hell out of Scotland

Damn it all! Dalkeith was his place Their place

Dalkeith-Upon-the-Sea had been his entire life He’d endured so much to have this tie To watch their daughters race through the gardens, little feet pattering across mosses and cobbled ays On a warm day, to bathe their children in a clear blue loch On a balht, to seduce his wife in the fountain beneath shi stars

He deserved to spend the re with Adrienne over these hills and vales, watching the sea and the seasons’ eternala home rich with love and memories and adventures Every bit of it--damn it--he was a selfish man! He wanted the whole dream Should have stayed away, Hawk, and you know it Whatyou can’t even nahtly and swayed in the dark Give up Dalkeith for her? His head fell forward, bowed beneath the weight of crushing decisions A sigh to extinguish bonfires shuddered through his body Aye He would wed her at the Samhain Then he would take her as far away frooodbyes in a strained silence Goodbyes took some time, and there was much he needed to bid farewell at Dalkeith-Upon-the-Sea

To risk staying where whatever forces commanded his wife? Patently i rooly His nursery "Running is the only intelligent thing to do in this case ’Tis the only sure way to keep her safe"

He rubbed his eyes and leaned an ar to tah hi innocently in his bed This night shared with her had been all he’d ever drea love to a wo love--tonight when their bodies had ether in passion, he felt such co else, it shifted and tumbled his priorities into perfect position She comes first

Hawk’s jaw tensed, and he cursed softly His eyes wandered lovingly over the cradles, the carved toys, the soft woolens, and the high s opening to a velvet dawn He could give her a babe--hell, shecould rip her and the babe right out of his arms and his life It would destroy him

Dalkeith would prosper without him; Adrian would make a fine laird Lydia would summon him home from France Ilysse would keep hisbabies to this nursery

He would suffer no regrets He could have babies with Adrienne in a crofter’s hut and be just as happy

The Hawk stood a few moments more, until the flicker of a smile curved his lip