Page 84 of Her Magnificent Mistake
Artrip had killed Stephen almost a decade ago, which meant the man’s mind had been rotting for a while. He’d been the mastermind of this plan, but Marianne’s support—whenever he had gained it—had given him the excuse. Her absence from the country would mean Hawk and Allie would be truly safe.
“Thank ye,” he murmured whole-heartedly. “I…” Emotion clogged his throat as he glanced down at his new wife. “Thank ye both. I never considered—neverwouldhave considered…” He shuddered, thinking how close he’d come to condemnation as well as death.
Marcia, however, wrapped her arms around him. “I am just sorry we believed you capable of such horror.”
“Nay, we dinnae,” Bull corrected her, clapping Hawk on the shoulder. “That was the problem—neither of us believed it, so the investigation kept stalling.”
There was nothing else to say except, “Thank ye for believing in me.”
“Of course,” Marcia said quietly. “We love you.”
Bull nodded. “We do, Hawk. Welcome to the family.”
The family.
This large, extended, wild family had welcomed him with open arms, and he couldn’t be happier.
“Oh, my dears, how delighted I am to see you all!”
His new family all turned in surprise to see a frail figure hobbling toward them.
“Eliza?” Bull blurted, leaping forward to take the old woman’s arm. “What are ye doing—I mean, how wonderful to see ye again!”
The old woman, whom Hawk now recognized as Lady Mistree, flicked her fingers dismissively as their little circle opened to allow her in. “Oh, fear not, I am certain my invitation was just lost in the post. Marcia, my dear, congratulations.”
This last was said as she held out her hand to Marcia, who took it in both hers. They leaned in for a quick buss on the cheek, but when she straightened, Marcia was grimacing guiltily.
“Thank you, Lady Mistree. We—we are honored you could attend today.”
“Yes indeed, I know.” The old woman beamed at each of them. “Especially since I am something of your fairy godmother.”
Hunter’s brows had risen, since she was looking at him. “Ye are? For me?”
“For all of you, my dears.”
“No’ me,” muttered Bull.
Lady Mistree just patted his hand indulgently. “Bull, darling, of everyone in this world, you aremostin need of a fairy godmother. And it appears I am quite good at it. After all…” She winked at Marcia. “I gave your sister her happily ever after, did I not?”
Bull scoffed. “Ye gave her anecklace.”
As Marcia’s guilty expression deepened, her patroness tutted. “I gave her exactly what she needed to ensure that she and Hawk might have a long life together. I suppose the happiness, however, is entirely in your hands.”
As she beamed at them, Hawk inclined his head in gratitude to the woman who had, in her own small way, brought them together. “And we shall spend the rest of our lives grateful for the opportunity, milady.” Remembering the way the pendant’s story had been enough to distract Artrip at a horrible, vital moment, he shuddered slightly. “Your gift of Marcia’s inheritancewasinstrumental in getting us all here, alive, to this wonderful day.”
Lady Mistree beamed, but Marcia’s breath burst out of her all at once, and she began to shake her head.
“Milady, I am sorry, but the pendent was destroyed,” she blurted out, clearly agonized. “It was so lovely, and Hawk has commissioned our cousin Merida to make me another one, but the original…” She winced and lowered her voice and her gaze. “I am sorry. It was broken.”
“I know, my dear.”
Marcia’s gaze jerked up, and Hawk heard several gasps from their circle.
The old woman smiled indulgently and met everyone’s eyes, one by one, ending with Marcia. “I know. Its destruction, and the timing of it, was why it belonged inyourhands atthat time.” She patted Bull’s hand again. “You asked me why I would distribute your inheritances now, dear boy? Simply because Marcia needed that particular piece in order to ensure her happily ever after.”
“Wha—How…what?” Marcia managed.
Hawk felt just as bewildered.
