“To your brother and my sister and a long happy life for each of them.” He waited until she had the glass to her lips and then added, “Together.”
Miss Quick coughed as she swallowed. Her brows furrowed. “That wasn’t fair of you,” she said and put down her glass.
“We are in a war on opposite sides. It was strategic.”
“It was underhanded.”
“Perhaps it was sly.”
“No matter the term you or I attach to it, I wouldn’t toast to my brother and your sistertogetherwhen they’ve never even met.”
By the tone of her voice he knew she wasn’t angry with him or even upset. She was simply taking him to task for doing something she didn’t like, and that made her divinely appealing.
“You don’t like to give an inch, do you, Miss Quick?”
She rearranged the napkin in her lap and then looked at him with her blue eyes and said, “I could easily say the same about you. Apparently you don’t, either.”
“Ah, but with me it is expected, is it not? I’ve always found that young ladies are usually more cooperative than men—yet you are tenacious to a fault.”
Her gaze stayed on his. He saw that earlier, attractive strength return to her countenance. “Perhaps you didn’t notice when we spoke this afternoon, Your Grace, but…” She paused, and her hint of a smile was confident. “I’m not known for being agreeable just to placate someone—not even an earl or a duke.”
“Oh, I noticed, and you know I did, but thank you for attempting to give me the benefit of doubt. It was more than I deserved.”
“And not for the first time,” she murmured under her breath and then said more plainly, “Tell me, did you find everything you needed to care for your horse?”
“Yes. Including a blanket, which will be needed tonight. The stable is large and well stocked for only four horses.”
“I know, it’s a shame that much of it goes unused. There was a time many horses were stabled here. Years ago, when the house was built by the first Earl of Switchingham.I’m told Mammoth House was a rather grand hunting lodge. The earl, along with family and friends, used to spend the winters here. They held grand house parties that are still talked about in the village.”
Hawk settled against the back of his chair and sipped the wine again. He’d never made it back to the drawing room for the brandy she’d poured, and the wine was soothing. This is what he wanted from the night. A warm room, a glass of wine, and a strong, delightful, and intelligent lady to share it all with him.
“Does your uncle stay here and hunt?”
“No. I’m told there used to be a dense forest not too far north of here, but a great fire destroyed it close to twenty years ago. As unbelievable as it seems, there had been little rain for several weeks before the fire. Apparently the devastation was quite thorough, and regrowth has been slow.”
The housekeeper entered the dining room and placed a plate of steaming food in front of him. The aroma of sweet honey mixed with smoked ham drifted up and made Hawk’s mouth water. A mound of scrambled eggs and a serving of boiled potatoes were also on the plate. Miss Quick was served the same but with noticeably smaller portions.
“There are sporadic stands of scrub trees and brush,” Miss Quick continued as Mrs. Huddleston left the dining room, “but unfortunately the forest hasn’t returned to its former flourish yet. I’m assuming that’s the reason the house is no longer used as a hunting lodge.”
“And how long have you lived in Mammoth House?”
“Over two years,” she answered, picking up her knife and fork.
“How often do you go to the village?”
“I don’t.” She motioned to his food. “Please enjoy your meal while it’s hot.”
Hawk put his glass down and picked up his silver. “What about London? Do you go there to visit family or friends?”
“No.” She swallowed another bite and then said, “I am always invited to go to my uncle’s house for Christmas dinner.”
It was intriguing that she seldom traveled anywhere, and he wanted to know why. The real reason why.
The ham was salty, sweet, and delicious. He enjoyed his food for a few moments and thought on what she’d said before asking, “Yet your brother leaves Mammoth House often.”
She quirked her head toward him as she lifted a forkful of eggs. “How do you know?”
“I see him in London.”
