Page 61 of Her Magnificent Mistake
Dimly, as though it were occurring a long way away, Hawk realized he should join in the banter and teasing. But he was still staring at his friend, his insides still a jumble of worry and guilt.
Marcia had said she’d never told her brother about their past, and even ten years ago, when Hawk had confessed he was ready to marry, he hadn’t told Bull who he had chosen. But…but when Bull tried to set Marcia up with him, Hawk had run away from commitment.
At least, that’s what Bull would think.
Hawk had abandoned the woman he’d loved because he thought she was ready to marry another, but she and her brother would have been surprised. Hurt. Heartbroken.
Christ. Ye really are an arse.
Bull must not trust him anymore. That was surely why Bull had rushed off yesterday when he’d learned they were together. He’d been trying to protect his sister from being hurt again.
Right?
As Marcia teased Rupert and Allie, Hawk realized Bull was still studying him, expression neutral. Did he know how Marcia hadspent yesterday afternoon? Did he know why Hawk had run away all those years ago? Did he know why someone had tried to kill him?
Right now, feels as though everyone kens more than ye.
Now wasn’t that the truth?
“Thanks for coming,” Bull finally said, speaking directly to Hawk. “I’d like to talk to ye, if ye’re willing.”
Hawk’s brows dipped in. “Aye, of course.” The answer was immediate, the remnant of years of trusting this man above any other.
Quite inexplicably Bull’s gaze flicked to the maid, who huffed a sigh. “Fine. Remember what we discussed.”
Why was Smythe-Smith-Smitten speaking so informally? From the glare she was sending Bull, there was something more there than servant and employer. Was…was Bull dallying with his sister’s maid?
Bull’s smile turned charming as he shifted to include Allie and the others. “I hope ye will forgive me for being a terrible host, especially after I invited ye in. But I need to speak with Hawk alone, and I’m hoping ye’ll humor an auld wounded man.”
“Of course,” Marcia agreed, looping her arm through Allie’s. “I will make the sacrifice of accompanying you two to the library, where I will chaperone and you can tell me all about South American lizards or ancient Babylonian funeral rites or steam engines.”
“Nay!” Hawk blurted, reaching for his niece.Dinnae give into the panic, use it.“Nay, I have to keep ye safe.”
Allie smiled up at him. “I am certain I will be safe with Lady Marcia, Uncle Maxwell. Besides, Babylonian funerary rites are gruesome, no villain will dare approach such a conversational topic.” She pretended to shiver.
When Hawk sent a tortured glance Marcia’s way, she smiled knowingly and stepped up to him. She placed her hand on his cheek and tipped his head lower. When she inhaled, he found himself joining her, his breathing slowing.
“I will keep her safe, Hawk,” she murmured. “I swear it.”
Oh God, he’d only just learned of this threat; how could he leave Allie unprotected? How could he risk Marcia to keep his niece safe?
“Hawk, she will not be alone. Notever. We willallkeep her safe.”
Behind Marcia, Rupert nodded staunchly as he stepped up beside Allie, his cheeks still red. “Aye, of course.”
Marcia smiled, and pulled Hawk down to her as she whispered, “Talk to my brother. We will protect Allie together.”
And then, in front of her brothers and Allison and the maid with the impossible name and all of the saints, Marcia kissed him.
It wasn’t a long kiss, it wasn’t a deep kiss.
It wasn’t the kisses they’d shared yesterday in the cottage, nor the one they’d shared in the gazebo, when he’d nearly lost control.
But it was enough.
Hawk had quit breathing long before she’d straightened, smiling. As it turned out, breathing was no longer necessary.
Bemusedly, he watched her usher the younger couple into the hall, heard Rupert announce, “Actually, the life cycle of the gecko, orGekkonidae,isquite fascinating,” and saw the little maid slip around him.
