Page 79 of Her Magnificent Mistake
“I love you too, Hawk. Always and forever.”
One more quick kiss, then he sighed. “Let’s go home, eh?”
From the picnic blanket came Rupert’s strained voice. “If it’s no’ too much trouble, could I come with ye? I’ve had rather enough of studying the rhododendrons.”
Smiling in relief, they wrapped his wound—a deep gouge along the outside of his left bicep which still bled sluggishly—and took turns supporting him down the mountain to where the horses waited.
And much later, when Hawk’s men went to retrieve Artrip’s body, they found the old man’s skull crushed against a large rock, the damage almost hidden by his combover. Marcia’s blue pendant, which sheknewshe’d seen sparkle such a bright blue and emit that high note, was still clutched in his hand, crushed beneath his body.
The pieces of glass were swept together for her to keep, but now they were merely that: glass. No glitter, no light, and not a hint of blue.
Just plain, ordinary glass.
Whatever had been there had flown. Free at last.
CHAPTER 14
Most of the household was still in shock, but Hawk rallied them to do what was necessary. Until that moment, Marcia hadn’t realized how much she appreciated being able to lean on someone else; a partner.
She and Bull had always worked well together, and she was determined to be his equal. Her name might not be above the door, but it was her investigative company, just the same. But with Hawk, she was grateful to let him take the lead now, as she clung to his hand and tried not to hyperventilate when she thought about how close they’d all come to death.
Losing Rupert. Losing Hawk. Losing Allie.
At some point in the future, she assumed he would lean on her, the way a partnership worked.
Assuming they still had a future.
“Gabby says Rupert’s injury will be simple to stitch,” Hawk announced, his attention on the buttons of Marcia’s blouse. They were in his rooms, although her mind was too muddled to understand what that meant. “I sent McMackinacker for thedoctor, but she insisted she’d be able to handle it.” He finished unbuttoning and slid the material down her shoulders. “He’s complaining and fussing, but Allie had just poured him a double dram of whisky and kissed the lout’s forehead, so hopefully he willnae mind.”
Marcia was distracted by his sure fingers on her waist buttons. “Yes, if she strokes his brow and tells him how brave he is as she feeds him the whiskey, he will be right as rain. Which never made sense to me, because rain is not exactly right. It is not exactly wrong either. What are you doing?”
He paused and lifted his head. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Itlookslike you are removing my clothing.”
“Aye.” Hawk’s grin was lopsided. “Because ye’re filthy from rolling around on the ground. I am as well. I thought ye might like a bath.”
“I would,” she began cautiously, her gaze flicking to the bed, remembering what they’d shared only this morning. Goodness, had it really only been a few hours ago? “But I was not certain…”
He straightened, his jacket already gone. “Certain? About what?”
She took a deep breath, her breasts pressing against her corset, and met his eyes.She could say this.“This morning, you…” She swallowed. “I was not certain you wanted…me. Not anymore.”
His expression cleared, then crumpled, and he hummed lightly as he pulled her against him. “I’m sorry, lass,” he murmured into her hair. “I’m sorry for my anger.”
Frowning now, Marcia planted her palms on his chest and pushed. “Your anger was justified. I kept a secret from you.”
“Aye.” He shrugged, and his grin turned a little crooked. “But ye did so because ye thoughtIwas keeping a secret fromye. I had nae right to expect?—”
“You had every right,” she said firmly, glaring up at him. How dare he be so—so calm in accepting her apology! “I lied, and yes, I manipulated you. I was told you were a murderer, and I used our past relationship to get close to you.”
“But I didnae fall for it,” he reminded her with a teasing grin. His hands went to her shoulders. “Marcia, when ye showed up here pretending to be someone ye werenae, I thought ye’d changed as much as ye must’ve thoughtI’dchanged, if I could harm someone I loved.”
Guilt caused Marcia’s stomach to roil. “When I realized that was not who you wanted me to be, I went back to being myself, even though…even though I did not understand why you had not wanted me then.”
“And I’m sorry I never told ye, love.” He dropped a kiss to her forehead, gathering her close again. This time she let him. “I was stupid and short-sighted. Back then, I was terrified of betraying my friendship with Bull. And when I heard ye excited to wed another… I thought what we shared was a mistake.”
Hawk’s heartbeat was strong and steady against her ear, and she curled her fingers around his arm as if she could keep him there forever. “It wasmagnificent.”
