Daphne recovered most quickly, however, and proceeded to marvel at her mother’s betrothal announcement. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you and Lord Cornelius intend to marry. It has been fairly obvious that you are in love.”
Rachel cautiously studied Daphne’s face. “We would like your blessing, my dear.”
“Of course you have it. I am very glad that you love each other.”
Cornelius clasped Rachel’s hand in his. “Your mother is correct, Miss Farnwell. I have an ample fortune and can provide for her and for you as well. You will not lack for fortune, even though you are unable to claim Farnwell’s.”
; As much as Skye would have liked to hear the remainder of the conversation, she was more eager to speak to Hawk alone, and so quietly slipped from the room in pursuit of him.
Farther along the corridor she spied an elegant, silver-haired gentleman. He had stepped out of Hawk’s study, she suspected, because he was curious about all the commotion. It had to be Sir Gawain Olwen, Skye thought as he momentarily waylaid Hawk.
When she halted, debating what to do, she realized that Aunt Bella had followed her into the corridor.
Her aunt took one look at her dismal expression and instantly grew concerned. “What is it, my love? Something is amiss, I can tell.”
Not for the first time did Skye wish her aunt was not quite so perceptive.
Determinedly she swallowed the ache in her throat. Hawk was fully occupied at the moment, but she would not allow him to leave for London without another attempt to renew her arguments about his impending courtship and marriage. By forcing a confrontation, she would be fighting for him—for them, Skye told herself. But perhaps she needed Isabella’s wise counsel beforehand.…
With a final glance at Hawk, she turned back to her aunt. “Now that you mention it … You are an expert on romantic matters, and I could use your advice. My own arsenal of tricks is entirely depleted.”
“Of course, my dear,” Bella said gently as she slipped her arm in Skye’s. “Come with me to my rooms and we will have a quiet coze.”
It went against Skye’s very nature to give up, but relinquishing hope for Hawk’s love was precisely what her aunt recommended.
In fact, when told of his plans, Isabella seemed more torn by his dilemma than Skye’s. “I understand why Hawk feels obligated to fill Sir Gawain’s shoes. He would not want to betray the man who has been like a father to him.”
“Oh, I understand,” Skye agreed. “But what can I do about it, Aunt? I have tried my utmost to make him love me, to no avail.”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes. More than anything. But clearly he doesn’t return my feelings. And even if he did, we have no future together. Not when he insists on wedding Sir Gawain’s niece so he can lead the Guardians.”
Isabella pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I believe you have done all you can, Skye. As I have told you before, one cannot force love. If you are meant to be together, then you will be.”
Skye badly wanted to refute her aunt’s assertion. All her instincts were clamoring for her to persevere. She wanted to fight for Hawk’s love and win.
But Aunt Bella interjected more guidance using the voice of reason. “You know that arguing and demanding will only push Hawk away. You must let love come to you, Skye.”
“You are saying that he must make the choice himself?”
“Yes, exactly.”
No matter how sage the advice, Skye’s natural impulses continued to rebel. She had always been driven to control her own fate. She didn’t want to leave the decision to Hawk, unable to manage the outcome. But for once in her life she might be unable to get what she wanted.
“The Guardians are his life,” Isabella added in a somber tone. “Forcing him to choose between you will only cause him pain. Is that what you want for him? More pain?”
“No, of course not.”
“But that is what will happen if you continue pressing him.”
Skye’s throat grew tight. She’d been proceeding blithely these past few days, her heart filled with love and dreams. But now her dreams were about to be shattered.
“Sir Gawain wants Hawk because he is a born leader,” Aunt Bella went on. “Although some other Guardians are as brave and skilled as he is, few could fill that particular role as well as he.”
Skye swallowed the hard lump of emotion in her throat, attempting to see the decision from Hawk’s perspective. The Guardians were his calling. They had made him the man he is today. Did she have the right to ask him to give them up?