Now he found himself sharing a settee with his wife, who sipped tea and conversed with her friends. While he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, something about the Society of Angels struck him as…off. Perhaps it was the excessive gentility. Or the mountain of a fellow who’d greeted them at the door.
Fi had introduced the butler to him.“This is Hawker.”
“I hope you don’t go by Hawk as well,”Hawk had said in jest.
“Why would I ruin a perfectly good name?”The butler’s unpatched eye had narrowed before he stalked off, barking,“Right this way.”
“Don’t worry,”Fiona had whispered.“Hawker warms up once you get to know him. He tends to be protective of the Angels.”
Hawk couldn’t give a damn whether the butler warmed up to him. But he did wonder why the man felt a need to guard ladies engaged in a harmless altruistic hobby.
“What do you think of our society so far, my lord?” Lady Fayne inquired.
On the surface, Lady Fayne appeared to be a wealthy and respectable widow. Yet Hawk sensed there was more behind those calm eyes and society-ready smile.
“Your organization is quite remarkable,” he said.
Remarkably boring, that was. He found it difficult to believe that his spitfire countess was enthralled with such work. But who was he to question how she found fulfillment? She obviously enjoyed the company of her friends. It was a good thing, he told himself, that Fiona found meaning in charitable endeavors…as long as those endeavors posed no peril to her.
Lady Fayne smiled complacently. “A group is only as remarkable as its members. I am fortunate indeed to have recruited such talented young ladies to the cause.”
“Speaking of which.” Hawk set down his teacup. “I would like to have a word with you about my wife’s recent activities.” He slid a look at Fiona. “In private.”
Glowering, Fiona said, “We agreed that you were not to pester Charlie—”
“That is quite all right, my dear. I would be glad to discuss the Society.” Lady Fayne rose, the movement as smooth as her manner. “We’ll talk in my study, my lord.”
After Hawk’s departure, Charlie reassured Fi that he had not seemed to suspect anything.
“I do not know how long you will be able to keep the wool over his eyes, however. For a man, he is quite intelligent,” Charlie remarked. “And exceedingly protective of you.”
She departed on an errand, leaving Fi with the other Angels.
“Even if we did not fool Hawk, at least we bored him to tears. He deserved it.” Fi stabbed her fork into a slice of lemon cake. “I cannot believe how high-handed he is being.”
“Now, dear,” Pippa said. “You cannot blame Hawksmoor for being concerned.”
“I told him I can take care of myself.” Fi ate a bite, her eyes widening. “Heavens, this cake is delectable.”
“The latest delivery from Fisher’s Fine Foods.” Glory polished off her slice. “For treats like this, I would help Mrs. Fisher with any problem she has.”
“Back to the husband dilemma,” Livy interjected. “I think Hawksmoor’s overprotectiveness is to be expected. Hadleigh was the same way, as you recall. But he got over it. Eventually.”
“How can I possibly tell Hawk about our work? Look at how he is reacting to one measly visit to Mrs. Swann’s.” Fi comforted herself with another lemony forkful. “He would never countenance my taking risks on an ongoing basis.”
“You never know until you try,” Pippa said. “And you haven’t, not really. All you’ve told Hawksmoor are half-baked lies; how is he supposed to believe that you can take care of yourself? If you told him everything—about our training and experience—perhaps he would have a different view of things.”
Fi felt a frisson of panic. “How can I risk the truth without knowing how he’ll react?”
“That is how a relationship works. Howloveworks.” Pippa’s smile was gentle and wise. “And you are falling in love with Hawksmoor, aren’t you?”
Fi expelled a breath. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes,” her friends chorused.
It was a bit disconcerting to learn that her heart was apparently pinned on her sleeve. Yet these were her bosom chums. They knew her better than anyone.
“While I may have grown fond of Hawk,” she admitted, “that doesn’t mean I can just tell him everything. If he cannot accept me as I am...” Fear cinched her throat at the thought of losing Hawk’s regard and tender affection.“Dash it all, I wish there was an easy way to tell him the truth.”
