Hawk returned the respect in the same manner and said, “Forgive me, my lord, for arriving unannounced.”
“Nothing to forgive, Hawksthorn,” Lord Switchingham said, lumbering into the room with a sway and hobble to his steps that indicated he had a hip or possibly a knee he was favoring. “It’s an honor to have a duke visit me, whether he has an appointment or not and whether business or pleasure. I hope you’ll forgive me for making you wait.”
“As you said, there’s nothing to forgive.”
“Glad to hear it. Please, have a seat and tell me what’s on your mind this early in the day.”
The earl motioned to the servant who’d walked in behind him, and the man walked over to a side table and poured two glasses of what looked to be port while Hawk made himself comfortable on the settee. Hawk couldn’thelp but notice the abundance of lace on the earl’s cuffs and the ends of his neckcloth, too.
“Thank you for understanding,” Hawk said. “I do have a matter of business to discuss with you that recently came up concerning your niece, Miss Quick.”
“Loretta?” the earl asked as the lines around his mouth deepened. His thinning gray eyebrows puckered as he seated himself in a low-back armchair near the settee. He grunted as he stretched a leg out in front of him. The sound reminded Hawk of a pig who was enjoying a fresh patch of mud. “Has she done something wrong that I haven’t heard about?”
It perturbed Hawk that her uncle had immediately assumed she’d done something wrong. Hiding his irritation, he answered, “No. Actually, I’m hoping she will be able to do something for me.”
“You?” Lord Switchingham squirmed in the chair, as if he hadn’t yet made himself content with how he was sitting. “Whatever would you need with her? She’s been out of Society for quite some time now.”
“I know,” Hawk said with as little derision as he was capable of, considering he felt as if the man talked about Miss Quick as if she were the lowest scullery maid in his employ rather than his niece and a lady of the highest quality.
“I’m surprised you even remember her at all.”
Hawk felt a prick of guilt. He’d hadn’t actually remembered her until he saw her. Even so, the earl was not endearing himself to Hawk. Still, he held his tongue and proceeded calmly. “Let me get right to my reasoning for being here. I’m going to share something with you that only a couple of people know at this time, my lord. But first, I must have your word that you won’t discuss it with anyone.”
That got the earl’s attention, and he leaned forward. “Of course. You have my word.”
“Good.” Hawk took a glass from the tray the servant held before him, but he wasn’t in a mood to share a drink with his host. “I’m in discussions with your nephew, Mr. Paxton Quick, about a possible matrimonial arrangement between him and my sister, Lady Adele.”
“I didn’t know this,” the earl said, sounding somewhat affronted as he reached for his drink. “When did this discussion happen? He never said a word to me.”
“He has only been aware of the offer a few days. I have sworn him to secrecy on this matter, as I have you. Don’t blame him.”
“No, no blame. The fact is, it would please me greatly for our families to be joined by a mutually agreeable marriage.”
Hawk wouldn’t go so far as to say that. “It’s very important to me that this not be made known to anyone in case we can’t work out an amicable agreement. I don’t want anything to blemish Lady Adele’s reputation before the Season starts. If there was talk of an arrangement that didn’t work out, it might reflect badly on her.”
“Certainly, I understand.” He preened and leaned back in the chair. His long, wide face seemed to flatten slightly, thickening his jowls. “Paxton is an affable fellow, but he doesn’t seem to always have both feet on the ground. I’m sure you know what I mean. Especially when it comes to business matters. You were quite right to come to me concerning this offer. I’ll need to handle it for him. Did you bring contracts for me to look over?”
Hawk shifted in the settee and gritted his teeth. He really didn’t want the earl to help finalize the contracts with Quick, if an arrangement was, indeed, made with theman. But since Quick was under the earl’s financial protection, Hawk would have to at least hear what the man had to say.
“No, we’re not that far along in our talks. But back to your niece and the main reason I’m here. Lady Adele would very much like to be introduced to Mr. Quick before further discussions take place. Though a bit unusual for sure, I’ve agreed that an informal meeting between them could take place at Hawksthorn, where Lady Adele will be well chaperoned by our widowed cousin. And your niece as well. Lady Adele believes she will feel more comfortable if Mr. Quick’s sister accompanies him on the visit. However, Mr. Quick told me she doesn’t travel, and if she did, she’d need your permission.”
“That’s true,” he said with no emotion in his words.
Hawk wanted to be careful how he worded his next statement. “I was hoping you could speak to her for me about this and ask if she’d be willing to make an exception, this once, for my sister, and make the journey to Hawksthorn with her brother for a short visit.” Hawk hated putting the blame for Loretta not traveling on her, but felt it was best not to antagonize the earl.
“Hmm,” Lord Switchingham murmured and drank from his port again. “I’m not sure I can accomplish that. You see, she’s very headstrong, that one, and she and I have come to an understanding about her not traveling. It suits both of us well, and I must tell you it’s not something I’m inclined to disturb.”
Loretta had told him this wouldn’t be easy, but Hawk didn’t intend to walk away the loser. “It would only be a short visit. Two nights would accomplish allowing Mr. Quick and Lady Adele to meet.”
“I will have to put some thought into this.”
Time wasn’t something Hawk had a lot of. He wanted Adele’s future settled before the Season started, and that was only a few weeks away.
“You do know,” Hawk said, “that if an arrangement between Lady Adele and Mr. Quick occurs, I will assume all responsibility for him.”
The earl’s brows rose again. “Oh, well, of course, Your Grace, it’s not expected, but it would be most kind of you and greatly appreciated, let me assure you.”
Hawk smiled. “But if you don’t feel you can persuade your niece to make the visit with her brother, I’ll have to disappoint Lady Adele and not allow Mr. Quick to come, either. And without that meeting, I’m not sure how discussions for an arrangement could proceed.”
