Meg gave him a little swat, and everyone laughed except Ellie. Did he ever take anything seriously? And what was wrong with his hands?
He turned to leave, then stopped as if he’d forgotten something—apparently her. “You’re sure it’s no trouble?” he said, referring to Ellie as if she weren’t sitting right there.
Meg shook her head. “I’ll enjoy the company.”
Hawk bent over and gave the curvy redhead a kiss on the cheek. “I owe you, love.”
Meg dimpled. “And I will enjoy collecting payment.”
“Naughty, lass,” he said with another one of those bottom pats.
His gaze leveled on Ellie. “Stay out of trouble,” he ordered, as if she were a child.
She fought the most ridiculous impulse to stick out her tongue at him.
Good God, what was wrong with her? Less than twenty-four hours in his company, and she was acting like her five-year-old sister Joannie.
Their gazes held a moment too long. He frowned, but by the time he glanced back to Meg he was smiling again. “Put her to work. I’m sure there’s something she can do.” From his tone it was clear he wasn’t overly convinced.
Ellie felt a spark of outrage. She wanted to argue that there was plenty she could do, but had to bite her tongue and force herself not to rise to the bait. If he knew how much he was getting to her, it would only encourage him. And in truth, she wasn’t sure how her lady’s skills would be of help to Meg and her small holding.
Ellie knew how to manage the castle’s servants and oversee the cleaning, cooking, and tending to the livestock and crops, but she’d never actually baked bread, made a stew, changed the rushes, laundered linens, milked a cow, or harvested barley herself. It was more than a little humbling to realize how impractical her skills were outside of a castle.
Once he’d left, it didn’t take long for the room to clear of visitors. With Hawk’s words fresh in her mind, Ellie helped Meg clear the table of the platter, bowls, and cups from the morning meal.
“Thank you,” Ellie said when they were finished. “The food was delicious.” Though it was far less elaborate than what she was used to, the simple fare was surprisingly satisfying. As were the accommodations. Though small and rustic, Meg’s home was comfortable, clean, and organized. “I should like to add my thanks to the captain’s for taking me in like this.”
Meg took her hands and gave them a motherly squeeze. “Poor lass. Hawk will get you home before you know it.” She laughed. “I’ll bet it’s some time before you hide away on a boat again. But you will have an adventure to tell when you get home.”
Ellie’s face reddened with mortified heat, wanting to protest with the truth but mindful of her vow. She cursed him for the devil again, recalling after a few whispered words his explanation to Meg last night of how she’d come to be with him.
The pirate had shaken his head sadly. “The lass fancies herself in love, and when I told her I had to go”—he shrugged helplessly as if this kind of thing happened all the time—”she went half-crazed with grief and hid herself under the sails on my boat. By the time one of my men found her, it was too late to take her back. Until I can get her home, I feel responsible for her.”
Her eyes had been shooting daggers at him the whole time—which had only added to his amusement. The arrogant scourge was lucky she didn’t have a real one in her hand.
Meg, on the other hand, looked at him as though he’d just ridden in on a white horse. “Of course you must.” She looked to Ellie and shook her head. “You poor wee lamb.”
She’d taken the bedraggled Ellie and enfolded her in such a sympathetic embrace that Ellie lost the heart to argue.
Ellie didn’t know what was worse: his story or how readily Meg had accepted it.
Meg was watching her now and mistook the source of her discomfort. “Don’t be embarrassed. Hawk’s the kind of man to make even a sensible woman lose her head.”
“Did you?” Ellie blurted, eyes widening when she realized what she’d said. “I mean, I couldn’t help but notice …” She gnawed on her lip, knowing she was only making it worse.
But instead of being offended, the other woman simply laughed. “For a time, perhaps. When I lost my Colin …”
She stopped, her eyes filling with tears. After a moment, she smiled again. “Hawk helped me feel alive again, and for that I will love him forever. But the kind of love you mean, nay”—she shook her head—”that happens only once—if you are lucky.”
Ellie thought of Ralph.And if you aren’t the daughter of an earl.
She might never know that kind of love, but she did know loss. She took Meg’s hand and gave it a sympathetic squeeze. The gesture seemed to surprise the other woman, but Ellie could see that it was also appreciated.
“I know you don’t want to hear this right now,” Meg said kindly. “But Hawk didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Ellie didn’t say anything—what could she? Meg obviously thought she was in love with him. The poor, pathetic plain nursemaid mooning over the larger-than-life Norse god.
“He loves women and they love him. But asking for more than that is only asking for trouble.”
