Page 66 of Her Magnificent Mistake
The lass might be vocally against marriage when chatting with her uncle, but it was clear she was caught in her first blush of affection.
Rather like ye were, hmmm?
Aye, and God willing, Rupert and Allison wouldn’t take ten long years to get their heads out of their arses and figure out what was necessary.
Bull was the one to clear his throat. “Rupert is a good man, and ye can trust Allie with him, Hawk. Dinnae be a hypocrite, eh?”
Gabby made a noise suspiciously like a laugh turned into a cough, and turned away.
Marcia pressed her lips together to hide her smile, and raised a brow in challenge to Hawk, who had the good grace to roll his eyes as his lips twitched ruefully.
Well, when the man put it like that…
The rest of the war council passed quickly, and they all repaired to the dining room for the evening meal, which was…fun. Lively. Full of teasing.
And the whole experience was unique enough that only Artrip seemed to mind that Marcia’s “maid” was dining with them.
“Pass the gravy, Gabby,” Bull declared as Allie asked, “Who is Gabby?”
Hawk pointed a fork across the table and said in a pointed whisper, “Marcia’s maid, Smack-Smock-Smork. I think Bull fancies her.”
As Gabby dissolved into giggles, the rest of the table chimed in with corrections about her name, and the topic drifted to something different.
The meal was pleasant. Content. The food was good, Marcia could not help but think, and so was the company. As if…they were a family. As if, despite the danger hanging over their heads, they had a future to look forward to.
And afterwards, after Hawk had escorted his niece to her room and glared Rupert into a chair outside her door, Marcia wrapped her arm around his waist and dropped her head to his shoulder. With his arm around her, they strolled down the corridor.
“I am sorry I kept the investigation a secret,” Marcia finally said, breaking the comfortable silence. “But I am pleased you and Allison are no longer suspects, and are being kept safe.”
Hawk made a humming noise which sounded as if he wasn’t paying full attention. She glanced up at him to see a muscle in his jaw ticking. “What is wrong?” she asked, fear flashing through her.
There was a murderer on the loose, after all.
“I’m wondering where we’re going.”
Now? Marcia glanced around in surprise. “My room is beside yours.” As it had been for a week. Surely he could not have forgotten?—
In a movement so sudden it surprised a gasp from her, Hawk swung her about, pressing her back to the wall of the corridor. He placed one forearm against the wall by her head and leaned closer. “And what I want to ken, Marcia, is if ye’re planning on leaving yer door unlocked.”
Oh.
Oh my.
In that moment Marcia’s heartbeat had doubled in speed, her pulse fluttering wildly, her mouth dry in anticipation, her breaths coming faster as she stared wide-eyed up at Hawk. His lips were only inches from hers and she could see each blade of his stubble, each fleck of gold in his dark eyes.
“Well, lass?” He leaned closer, his lips brushing against the small hairs at her temple, until each breath was filled withHawk Hawk Hawk. “Will ye? Will ye leave yer door unlocked, now thatthere’s nae reason for us no’ to be together?” When he flexed his hips, she could feel his hardness straining for her warmth.
Her tongue flicked across her lips, and she hesitantly settled her hands on his hips, curling her fingers around his waistband, loving the fact that he still smelled of sawdust and sweat. Smelled like Hawk. “After that rather public kiss, my family assumes you and I are…friendly.”
“Verrafriendly,” he growled.
“And they approve.” She held her breath, wondering what he would say in the face of her certainty.
“Aye, I ken it.” His lips moved to her ear, and she shuddered. “Bull gave me his blessing.”
Oh. Marcia sucked in a gasp, this one of joy. Bull knew? Hawk had discussedthemwith Bull, and Bull had given his blessing? Her fingers tightened around the waist of Hawk’s trousers and she pulled him closer, tucking his hardness against the place where she needed his pressure the most.
“Then he already thinks we are sleeping together?” she whispered teasingly.
