This is actually what the new Cover changes do. After testing this with a friend of mine. The test was as follows. He did double sidewinder skillchain to pull the mob, and i did nothing, no provoke, no engage, no anything, and also he never did any more actions afterwards.
I popped Cover on him and observed at this point. And this is what happened. The monster was still agroed on the Ranger, and its attacks towards him were covered. But the next part is what amazed both of us. After about 3 covered attacks, The mob was no longer on the ranger, it was on me only, no cover messages, and i even moved to check who the mob was facing. It appears to reduce Enmity over time to the cover target, and i have Cover Merited now and i fricken love it.

I went from absolutely 0 hate at all, and he opened with 1000 sidewinder, 1000 sidewinder 500 SC, and without even engaging the mob, after 3 covered attacks, the hate was transferred to me. Its fricken awesome, and cover is the shiz now. Just imagine how easy it would be to get hate back while your actually engaged.