by Amelia Grey
“Thank you, Paxton. I needed a reason to laugh so badly.”
“That’s good for you, but what am I to think when I poured my heart out to you and you start laughing?”
She stared more closely at Paxton. He was being serious. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I’m afraid I was being selfish and thinking only about what I needed. What do you mean by pouring your heart out?”
“Nothing really.” He shook his head as if to dismiss his comment.
“No, you meant something. Tell me so that I don’t feel totally wretched for ignoring your feelings in favor of my own.”
He pushed his cloak away from his shoulders, propped one foot on his other knee, and answered, “I got on very well with Lady Adele. To be the daughter and sister of a duke, she really wants nothing more than a simple life.”
“I realized that, too,” she said cautiously.
“She’s quite fetching, vivacious, and clever as the day is long. And terribly spoiled. Her cousin does her every bidding, as does everyone else in the house, except for her brother, of course. Yet Lady Adele wasn’t snappish, demanding, or rude. She was polite in every way. Always saying please and thank you to everyone, even though she’s treated like a princess.”
“I found all that to be true about her as well.”
“So you liked her, too?” he asked.
“I did.” Loretta paused. “But what do you feel for her?”
“I feel that I’d be perfect for her.” There was no guile, nor even a hint of arrogance in his tone. He then added, “But—”
“But what?” she asked, realizing Paxton was unusually somber.
“There is an important matter the duke and I must settle before discussions of marriage can go forward.”
“I’m glad you’re taking your time to think this through and I assume Lady Adele is, too. I’m sorry I haven’t been a very good sister to you on this trip. Is there any way I can help with this important matter?”
“No, no.” He shook his head. “I know what needs to be done and how to settle it. I think I’ll rest, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I’ll probably lay my head back for a few minutes as well.”
Loretta watched Paxton snuggle into his cloak and fit his hat over his face, and a fierce sadness gripped her. She would not back down from wanting Paxton to marry Lady Adele only if he loved her, but the sad truth was that if Paxton didn’t marry Adele, Loretta would never have a reason to see the duke again. And that thought filled her with grief.
Dear Readers:
The Duke of Hawksthorn has been in London most of the winter, and I have it on good authority that his sister, Lady Adele, has arrived to join him. She was sighted coming out of a well-known modiste shop with her cousin and chaperone, Mrs. Philbert. No doubt they were making sure the last bead has been sewn, the last bow has been tied, and the last feather has been glued in their final preparations of her gowns for the Season. And one can’t help but wonder if the duke is making final preparations, as well, to ensure that Lady Adele isn’t beset by a mischief-maker in her quest to find the perfect gentleman and make a match.
MISS HONORA TRUTH’S WEEKLY SCANDAL SHEET
Chapter 20
A gentleman must always show a lady the proper respect in any situation that may arise.
A PROPER GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO WOOING THE PERFECT LADY
SIR VINCENT TYBALT VALENTINE
Hawk was in a hell of a mood.
And had been for the better part of a week. He didn’t like to lose whether he was boxing, fencing, betting on a horse race, or trying to win the hand of the lady he wanted to marry.
He sat before the fire in his book room, legs stretched out toward it, hoping the licking flames of heat would dry out the soles of his favorite boots while he drank his coffee and tried to clear his head of all the brandy he’d consumed while playing cards for most of the night. It had rained for three days straight, and every time he went out his boots soaked up more water from the drenched boardwalks and pavement. He’d come in so late last night they hadn’t had time to dry before he dressed again.
And he wasn’t of a mind to go upstairs and change.
A person’s honor was a tough thing to challenge. Be it man or woman. Hawk certainly didn’t want anyone meddling with his. He understood and respected the dedication it took to remain true to a code of principle and a vow.
He didn’t have to like that Loretta had made her vow. But he wasn’t in a position to do a lot of arguing with her about it. After the secret admirer letters became public knowledge and scandalized almost everyone in London, Hawk made a vow that he’d stay away from innocent young ladies.
That didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy them. Over the years, he’d paid attention to the new belles of the ball each Season. He did his part as an eligible duke and danced with them, enjoying their beauty and charms at dinner parties, afternoons of cards, and even an occasional ride in Hyde Park. He’d never touched one of them.
Until he met Loretta.
Hawk’s respect and admiration for Loretta, for her conviction to her vow, and for what she’d asked of him the last time he saw her were the only things that had kept him in London for the past week, and not where he wanted to be: sitting at Mammoth House trying to talk her into marrying him.
Looking down into the tepid pool of black liquid in his cup, Hawk wondered if the coffee was helping his mood or deteriorating it. Either way he intended to finish the damned stuff before going over the account books his solicitor dropped off yesterday. As long as he had coffee in the cup, he could put off work and continue to think about Loretta.
He hadn’t given up on making her his wife. He just hadn’t decided what the best course of action was to take. She was more than simply a lady of high principle. Her convictions ran deep, and she’d shown that she wouldn’t be easily swayed from what she believed she was honor bound to hold to.
Yet.
It had stung that she’d turned him down when he’d asked her to marry him. Didn’t she know that he’d never asked a lady to marry him? He’d never wanted to.
Until he’d met Loretta.
And he’d had all confidence that whenever he finally asked a lady to marry him, she wouldn’t say no. But Loretta had without blinking an eye. She had a keen sense of what was right. And marrying wasn’t right for her.
He might not have put any thought into it before he asked her, and it might not have been the most eloquent proposal, but that hadn’t made his question any less sincere.
The sexual tension between them at the time had been overwhelmingly pure, eager, and sublimely passionate. Just thinking about her now sent a heady warmth spinning through him, igniting a masculine response of desire. He wanted her.
It wasn’t the heat of the moment that had him professing he wanted to marry her. It was that he’d suddenly realized he loved her. He’d loved everything about her from the first day they met. From sitting down to dinner with her at Mammoth House and Hawksthorn, to arguing with her about the merits of an arranged marriage.
His primal attraction wasn’t all that drew him to her. He respected her strength to defend, to cope, and then to adjust when necessary. She wasn’t afraid to fight for what she believed was right. She was forgiving even when it wasn’t deserved, and was kind and loving to a street child. She was the kind of woman Hawk wanted to be the mother of his children.
Hawk wasn’t an ogre. He’d understood her concerns about a babe. Those fears were real and troubling. She was right to be cautious because of it. Nothing was foolproof except abstinence. That was another reason to admire her. It showed how strong she was.
There were many men in London who had bastard sons they could never legally call their own. Hawk had to admit he didn’t want that stigma for a son of his, either. It had to be a hard burden for a man to bear that shame when he did nothing to bring it upon himself. Hawk even understood her not wanting to cause her uncle more pain and disrespect his house again.
That was damned admirable of her, too. Especially considering the earl’s severe stance with her. What Hawk didn’t understand was her refusing to marry him because of the vow. He hadn’t realized how seriously she took it. He should have. She’d lived with the ramifications of it for almost three years now, and he knew they weren’t easy years. Somehow, he wanted to make her see that vows were broken all the time—whether or not they were said in the presence of a vicar in the church. Why did that matter to her?
Oh, hell, he thought and took another drink from the coffee that had gone from tepid to cold. He could sit here all morning thinking about how much he admired Loretta. About how much he wanted her in his life and in his home. Nothing changed the fact that he wanted to talk with her about whatever came to his mind. He wanted to laugh with her, and he even wanted to argue with her. It was invigorating to match wits with her bold assertions. He remembered her warm soft body pressed close to his. His lower body stirred.
A disgruntled laugh escaped past his lips. He wanted her in his bed, too. Snuggled close, loving her all night, and then waking with her by his side in the morning.
So no, he thought. He didn’t like to lose. He didn’t intend to lose. Whether she knew it or not, the battle for her wasn’t over. It was only just beginning. He was coming for her again, and again, and still again if he had to.
Denying him her hand only meant he would have to work harder to make her say yes. He didn’t mind. He’d always welcomed a challenge.
Hawk crossed his feet at the ankles and slipped lower into the armchair. There was Farley to consider, too. Of much less importance as far as Hawk was concerned, but a factor nonetheless.
“Your Grace.”
Hawk looked up to see his butler standing in the doorway. “What is it, Price?”
“There’s a gentleman here to see you. I told him it was too early in the day for you to accept callers but he insisted you’d see him if I told you his name was Mr. Paxton Quick.”
Hawk placed his cup on the table beside him and rose from the chair. “He’s right, I will. Show him in.”
A few moments later Quick walked in and stopped, bowed, and then said, “Your Grace, thank you for seeing me.”
Hawk knew immediately something was wrong. The man wasn’t smiling and there was no bounce to his step. In fact, he looked nervous. Almost fearful. “It’s not a problem, but I thought we agreed you’d let me know when you made it to Town and we’d make arrangements to meet at a set time.”
“Oh, no, you’re right about that. We did.” His head bobbled. “But, well, it’s because of the nature of this visit I felt it couldn’t wait until you made time for me.”
Hawk eyed him closer. Was that a quiver he heard in Quick’s voice? The man who was always so jovial it got on Hawk’s nerves. That worried him. “What’s wrong?”
After a loud intake and even louder exhale of a deep breath, Quick rushed to say, “You made my sister cry.”
Hawk couldn’t have been more surprised if Quick had sucker-punched him in the gut. No, Farley had made her cry. Hawk frowned. “Did she tell you that?”
“No. She didn’t have to.” The tremble in his voice continued. He clutched his hands together in front of him and then fretfully moved them to his back. “I saw how the two of you looked at each other throughout our time at Hawksthorn. I noticed even earlier at Mammoth House how the two of you—were around each other. Then I saw you arguing the morning we left your estate. In the coach she was crying.”
Hawk’s chest tightened. He knew she was on the verge of tears. She’d told him. He’d seen the tears pooling in her eyes as she fought to keep them under control. He’d wanted to hold her and comfort her but she didn’t want it. Hawk’s gut wrenched. He’d wanted to shake Farley for trying to steal the puppy. She wasn’t upset because of Hawk, she was devastated because she had thought Farley was changing. She thought she was making a difference in his life and the little imp had proved to her she wasn’t by taking the puppy.
“I think you are pursuing her,” Quick added.
Now that, he was guilty of. Perhaps Loretta’s brother was keener than he thought. “My relationship with your sister is our concern. Not yours.”
“No, Your Grace, it’s mine.” His voice seemed steadier and stronger, though his eyes blinked rapidly. He slowly walked closer to Hawk. “I will vigorously confront anyone who hurts her.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“And that includes you.”
So the gentle soul had a breaking point, and it was his sister’s tears. “As it should.” Hawk had to admit that Quick was impressing him with his assertiveness. Hawk hadn’t known the man had it in him to be so courageous. “Though I don’t have any obligation to tell you, I will let you know that what made Loretta cry was our argument about Farley and something he did.”
“She said the same.”
“Yet you remain unconvinced?”
“Your reputation as a rake gives me cause for concern about her innocence if you are pursuing her.” He stopped and swallowed hard. “I know my sister. I watched the many times she asked to go to London to visit a friend, to attend a wedding, or for the christening of a babe, or even to Grimsfield for a day of shopping, and Uncle always denied her because he was so angry with her he didn’t want her to have any source of pleasure. Through all the pain he caused I never saw her cry.” He took another step closer. His gaze was intent and his voice solid when he said, “If you hurt her again, I will call you out.”
“I would expect you to,” Hawk answered calmly, knowing he would find a way to get Loretta for his own.
“So you are warned.”
Hawk nodded, giving Quick stare for stare. Hawk had made all his answers as short as he could. He didn’t like what Quick was saying but he understood the man had the right to defend his sister. Hawk respected him for the courage it took. That didn’t mean it wasn’t damned hard to take.
Quick took a step back and continued. “I know I will no longer be considered to win the hand of Lady Adele and be her husband, but I do want you to know if I had married her and you had made her cry I would have been saying these same things to you. I expect to cherish my wife, honor her, and protect her from those who would make her cry.”
“I believe you.”
Quick nodded, pulled on the tail of his coat, and said, “Then it’s settled.”
“All but the contracts.”
“What?” Quick faltered on the word.
“After you left Hawksthorn, Adele and I had a long talk. She wants to marry you. I think you just told me you want to marry her.”
Hawk was sure he heard the man gulp. His lids fluttered, and for a moment Hawk worried the man might need to sit down.
“You mean she—you want me to marry her? After all I just said?”
“I’m not sure it’s reason to be happy, Quick. You will have your hands full taking care of Adele. However, since you both want it, my solicitors should have the contracts written and ready for you and your solicitors to read in a couple of weeks.”
“I don’t know what to say other than all right. I’ll let my uncle know and we’ll make plans to return to London in a fortnight.”
“I know the earl preferred that he handle the contracts for you, but I’d rather negotiate with just you and your solicitors and leave him out of this.”
“Like you, Uncle is more versed than I am in contracts of any nature, their meanings, and what a proper dowry should be. Though he’s been a stern guardian most of the time, he has taken care of Loretta and me for a long time. I must respect his wishes in this.”
Hawk nodded again, knowing it would take great restraint to remain civil while talking to the earl. Quick and Loretta might respect the man, but Hawk didn’t.
“Then I’ll comply with your wishes.”
Quick nodded, turned, and started walking out.
“Paxton,” Hawk said, calling him by his Christian name for the first time.
Looking back, he said, “Yes
, Your Grace?”
Hawk’s gaze penetrated Paxton’s. “Don’t ever threaten me again.”
“I don’t expect that you’ll give me a reason to.”
Paxton left the room and Hawk picked up the cup and downed the last of the stone-cold coffee.
He had to come up with a way to make Loretta forget about that damned vow. He turned to throw the cup into the fireplce when from the corner of his eye he saw Adele rushing toward him. She flew into his arms, making him drop the cup to the floor. By some miracle it didn’t break.
“Oh, Hawk, you are the most wonderful brother in the whole world.”
“By the devil, Adele, what’s wrong with you? If I’m so wonderful why do I see tears streaming down your face?”
“Because I’m so happy. I heard what Mr. Quick said and it made my heart melt. He is not only the happiest man I know, he is a knight in shining, gleaming armor. Did you hear how he defended his sister?”
“Of course I heard. He was talking to me. Not you.” Hawk frowned and set Adele away from him. “You eavesdropped on my conversation?”
“No,” she said, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hands. “I mean, yes, I overheard it. Most of it, maybe. Except when you talked very low. But no, I didn’t eavesdrop, I just listened.”
“Adele, you are supposed to be in London for dress fittings, not to be listening to my private conversations.”
“Oh, I know.” She huffed. “It was rude of me and I’m sorry, but I was coming to see you when I heard Mr. Quick’s voice say you had made Miss Quick cry. How could I leave after that? I had to know what you’d done to her.”
The devil take it! “I didn’t make her cry,” he said from between clenched teeth.
“Even so, as I told you at Hawksthorn, I liked Miss Quick and I stand with her brother. If you make her cry again, you’ll have me to answer to me, too.”
Hawk was in no mood to pacify his sister. The conversation with Paxton had been more than enough to put him in an ill humor.
