“Very well, Hawk.” She moistened her lips and added, “I suppose we should head back. We’ve probably left Paxton and Lady Adele alone together long enough.”
“They’re not alone. Minerva is Adele’s shadow. She’s been taking care of Adele since we lost our parents. She’s been her mother, her sister, and her friend, depending on what Adele wanted or needed at the time. And she’s a saint for putting up with Adele without complaint.”
“I could see that she was looking Paxton over very carefully, but I can’t say that I blame her. It’s her duty.”
“It’s more than that. She’s not happy about my arranging someone for Adele to marry.”
“How nice. Another lady who thinks as I do.” Loretta smiled pleasingly. “That’s refreshing and I’m so glad to hear it.”
“No, no, Loretta, you misunderstand. She is unhappy because she wanted to choose the man for Adele herself.”
Loretta laughed. “You are teasing me.”
He chuckled, too, and then said, “It’s true. And you know, seeing you laugh makes me want to take you in my arms right now and kiss you.”
She glanced toward the house, and then over to the servants’ coach. All of them had gone in but one. “But you wouldn’t do that here, out in the open, would you?”
“No, Minerva is probably watching us out the window. She didn’t want me to allow this meeting between Adele and Paxton in first place. Highly irregular and most improper of me to have him here with Adele before the Season starts, as she has reminded me often. And as you will soon find out, she believes herself your chaperone as well.”
“Mine?”
“You are an innocent young lady and you have no chaperone other than your brother. She considers herself responsible for your reputation as well as Adele’s while you are in my home and without what she considers a proper chaperone of your own. She aims to see that I don’t tarnish your reputation while you’re here.”
A smile twitched the corners of her mouth. “That’s most comforting, Hawk.”
He chuckled huskily. “Do not be fooled by her hovering, Loretta. I have a strategy planned. There will be a time and a place that I can be alone with you.”
His words sounded like a promise. A sizzle of desire raced across her breasts, plunged down into her abdomen, and then spread between her legs. It was madness all the things Hawk could make her feel with just a few whispered words.
“So you haven’t changed your mind about anything since we last spoke.”
“I am more adamant than ever, more eager than ever. Not one thing has changed for me. And you?”
Had her decision to be with him changed? She didn’t know. She wanted what his words and glances promised, but the price was so high.
She cleared her throat, hoping it would also clear the fluttering of indecision and anticipation running rampant in her chest and her stomach. “Well, perhaps Paxton and Lady Adele are staring at each other and in need of something to say.”
“I can see you don’t know my sister at all,” he said as they started walking. “She seldom stops talking. I do hope Paxton can live with that.”
“I fear he will lap up every word like a kitten after sweet cream, and he will talk just as much if not more.”
Hawk chuckled and they walked in silence the few steps back to the lane in front of the house, where he stopped again and said, “Is there anything you want to say to me before you go inside? Does it feel like there is something you’re forgetting?”
“I don’t think so.”
She studied his handsome face. Was she? She must be. He wouldn’t have mentioned it if she hadn’t. But what was it? Something else about Farley? About her brother or their journey? For heaven’s sake, nothing would come to her mind and she was forced to say to him, “I’m not sure what you’re referring—oh, yes, of course. I remember now. I thought about it the moment I saw Lady Adele. I must apologize to you again for my remarks about her. She is truly lovely, with an engaging sense of humor as well.”
“Accepted, but that’s not what I was thinking about. You must try again to figure it out.”
Loretta held her breath, hating to bring up the subject again. “Thank you for allowing Farley and Mrs. Huddleston to stay when they weren’t invited.”
Hawk stared into her eyes for a long time before saying, “I’m not referring to that, Loretta.”
She couldn’t think of anything but kisses and sighs and wonderful feelings when he looked at her like he wanted to take her into his arms. “You will have to remind me.”
“It’s about the small matter that I talked your uncle into letting you come to Hawksthorn when you were quite clear it would be impossible for me to do.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” She placed a gloved hand over her mouth for a moment. “Uncle denied my requests to travel for so long. How could I have forgotten that? Thank you for reminding me of that, as well. You’d think I had no manners at all.” Her gaze caressed his face, willing him to know how much she appreciated his efforts. “I was very pleased to be allowed to come with Paxton. I admit I didn’t know who would win because both of you are such strong men.”
