“No, I wouldn’t,” she argued. “It was something far more common than that and probably ages older as well. It was simply an urgent desire to be kissed by you.”
She saw in his eyes that he appreciated her honesty, though he still wasn’t happy she had, in effect, rebuffed his advances. It was a shame that he would never know how difficult that had been for her. For if she ever were to recant her vow, it would be tonight.
He looked away for a moment and then back to give her another intense stare. “Desire is a very strong emotion.”
Now vividly aware of that, she expelled an exhausted breath and whispered, “So I found out.”
“It’s also difficult to control.”
Oh, yes. She had discovered that as well. Once again she had to rely on her inner strength and answer him as truthfully as she could. “But it’s not impossible, which is why at times it must be harnessed, as just now. I made the vow, and I will remain true to it.”
“That is disappointing,” he said.
She softened her expression, hoping to convey to him the sincerity she was feeling.
“For both of us,” she answered and turned away.
Chapter 6
A gentleman should never leave a proper lady questioning what his intentions are.
APROPERGENTLEMAN’SGUIDETOWOOINGTHEPERFECTLADY
SIRVINCENTTYBALTVALENTINE
Hawk splashed cold water on his face and winced at the chill it gave him. He picked up the small towel and dried his face as he shoved back the drapery panel and looked out the window. It was still snowing when he’d gone to bed last night. Surprisingly, this morning the gray storm clouds of yesterday were gone, and bright sun glistened across the white, barren landscape.
That was a rare sight this time of year.
He quickly donned his trousers and boots, and then combed his fingers through his hair. Rubbing his hand across the day-old growth of beard on his cheeks and chin, he looked into the small mirror on the chest. There was nothing he could do about his stubble. The housekeeper hadn’t offered him a razor and soap.
It hadn’t taken long for his thoughts to turn to MissQuick once he’d awakened. That she was lovely, engaging, and innocent was a powerful draw for him. He glanced back at the bed. He hadn’t wanted to spend the night alone. Neither of them had tried to deny the attraction that had formed between them almost at first sight. He had little doubt that if he’d continued his seduction of her she would have willingly come to him, but he’d had to give her the opportunity to think about the consequences.
His honor demanded it.
And her honor prevailed.
Hawk pulled his shirt over his head and hurriedly stuffed it into his trousers. Next he grabbed his waistcoat and buttoned it before reaching for his wrinkled and limp neckcloth. How could he not think about Miss Quick after the way his body had responded to her? Not to mention the array of different emotions she’d caused him to experience over the course of his few hours with her. Especially since it’d never crossed his mind he might meet Quick’s sister when he’d headed to Mammoth house yesterday morn.
First she’d irritated the hell out of him, when she as good as demanded he tell her what he wanted with her brother, and then had the nerve to take him to task for it when he did. She compounded his ire by suggesting his sister was selfish. He still couldn’t believe she wouldn’t want a very lucrative betrothal for her brother.
She’d made him laugh at her cleverness when she’d said the secret admirer letter had been read around the world, and she’d enchanted him with her honest, thoughtful conversation about her past. Hawk had felt admiration for her when she’d stood watch on the portico and insisted she help undress the boy. He’d bet anyone a handful of coins no other lady would have touched those cold muddy boots. Most, if not all, of the ladies he knew would have eitherfainted or rushed from the room in tears at the pitiful condition of the lad. That included all the mistresses he’d known over the years, too.
Not Miss Quick.
She rallied against his attempts to shield her from the uglier realities of life. That the boy’s stockings were soiled and wet, and his laces knotted several times had been no deterrent to her soft hands or delicate sensibilities. She had immediately gone to work to remove them. And then…
Hawk smiled as the sensual feelings of desire he had for her came to mind and washed over him like summer’s first breeze. She’d tempted him sorely to forgo his honor, his vow to never take a young lady’s innocence when he’d held her in his arms, kissed her, and explored her shape. She had him experiencing a depth of passion he hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever. He’d wanted nothing more than to take her to his bedchamber and make her his.
The hell of it was that his passion for her hadn’t ebbed with the light of day. If the throb in his lower body at this moment was any indication, it had increased. But now was not the time to linger over thoughts of his desire for the lovely miss. His long, cold ride back to Grimsfield would be the perfect time to do that.
Grabbing his coat, Hawk pushed the tempting remembrances from his mind and headed out the door. The first thing he wanted to do was check on the boy. He’d told Mrs. Huddleston to come for him if things didn’t go well during the night. He hadn’t heard from the woman and hoped that meant the lad had made it through with no ill effects. If so, Hawk intended to have a word or two with him about his foul language before leaving Mammoth House. He was certain Miss Quick wasn’t used to a street urchin’s guttersnipe tongue.
Hawk made his way down the stairs then along the longcorridor past the drawing room, dining room, and kitchen, around the corner, and into the small room where they’d laid the youngster last night. Miss Quick sat on the edge of the bed with her back to the door. She rose and turned toward him when he entered the room. He hadn’t expected to find her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Because of him?
The lad?
