“You might not die,” he said savagely. “But you’re going to spend the rest o’ your miserable life behind bars.”
His face ashen and breathing labored, Claude somehow managed a sneer. “Do you think sparing my life makes you the better man? It doesn’t. It makes you a weakling…”
For an instant, the fantasy of ending the bastard flitted through Hawker’s head.
“For once, shut your damned gob.” He pressed down hard enough for Claude to yelp. “If you want to live, ’old this in place and don’t move. I’ll be back.”
He had to find Pearl. To make sure she was all right.
“Hawker?”
Pearl came out the back door, running toward him. He met her halfway and snatched her into his arms. Other than a smear of blood on her cheek, which didn’t look like hers, she was as neat as a pin. Not a hair out of place, every strand still neatly tucked in her bun.
He exhaled, surprised by how shaky the breath was.
“Cutthroats didn’t pose much o’ a challenge?” he managed.
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “There were only two. With one brain between them.”
He grinned. Couldn’t help it.Godhow he loved this woman, his perfect match in every way.
“Shot Claude, but ’e’ll live,” he told her. “We’ll need to get ’im a physician.”
Pearl peered around him—and shouted, “Look out!”
Hawker spun around.
Claude was sitting up. Blood spurted from his chest as he pointed a pistol he must have had concealed at Hawker.
His face contorted in a mask of hate, he said, “If I don’t get to be duke, no one—”
Thunk.The silver dart flashed as it embedded itself in Claude’s throat.
Claude made a gurgling sound before falling backward onto the grass.
Heart thundering, Hawker turned to Pearl. A breeze stirred her hair, which now hung in a silken curtain to her waist. Her bosom surged. She held her other hair ornament at the ready, the tiny missile as beautiful and dangerous as she was.
Hawker walked over to his cousin. Claude stared up at him with unblinking eyes. Reaching down, Hawker yanked the projectile free and wiped it clean on the dead man’s jacket. Only then did he return it to Pearl.
“Thank you, love,” Hawker said. “I’m a bloody lucky fellow.”
With hands that trembled just a little, she secured her hair back into a tidy knot.
“What would you do without me?” She shook her head.
He gave her the truth. “I never want to find out.”
Then he kissed her.
Ten
Contrary to Pearl’s expectations, dealing with the magistrates proved painless. The authorities were inclined to believe the account she and Hawker gave, especially since several of Claude’s thugs turned out to be wanted cutthroats with bounties for their capture. Not only did Hawker generously donate the reward back to the magistrates, but he also produced a letter verifying his ducal status. The magistrates bowed and scraped, sending him and Pearl on their way.
With a pang, she wondered if she would ever get used to hearing Hawker addressed as “Your Grace.”
They arrived at Northfield two days later. It was a mild Christmas day, the surrounding farmlands dusted with snow and the sun shining overhead. They were winding through the sleepy village en route to the address Lady Fayne had given them. As usual, Hawker had insisted on driving, and Pearl had been enjoying the tranquil scenery.
Until he’d ruined the mood.
