“Most kind of you, Your Grace,” he said, continuing to adjust his body in the chair. “It’s a nuisance that I can’t get around as I want to anymore.”
“Do you need anything else?” Loretta asked. “Perhaps a pillow would help?”
“That might work. Let’s try it.” The earl then looked at Hawk and said, “We just arrived last evening, but I’m not surprised you heard so quickly we’re in Town.”
“Mr. Quick sent a note around early this morning. Now I must take my leave. Perhaps I’ll see you at White’s this afternoon?”
“Ah, yes,” the earl said. “If I can get my knee to cooperate with my leg and allow me to get in and out of the carriage again, I do plan to be there.”
“Good. I’ll see you later.”
Hawk glanced over at Loretta and nodded.
She gave him a grateful smile.
Chapter 23
A gentleman should never discuss the wooing of a lady. Not even with his closest friends.
APROPERGENTLEMAN’SGUIDETOWOOINGTHEPERFECTLADY
SIRVINCENTTYBALTVALENTINE
The card room at White’s was active. Not a table was empty. Perhaps it was the steady drizzle outside that kept the gentlemen playing and not wanting to venture out into the cold rain to make their way home. Some conversations were loud, cheerful, and long, while the gentlemen at other tables talked low, determined and serious as their cards were laid down, hands were won or lost, and money was swept from the tables.
Thoughts of Loretta had consumed Hawk since he’d left her at her uncle’s house, though he’d done a fairly good job of hiding it from Rath and Griffin as they played. He conversed, laughed, and carried on in the normal way with them, drinking his brandy and winning enough hands to keep up with his losses.
Occasionally he’d think about Farley and Loretta’sattachment to him. But Hawk tried to keep his mind off the lad. Even though the boy had been very ill, and still might be, every time Hawk remembered that the footpad had made Loretta cry he wanted to wring the boy’s neck with his bare hands—but only for a second or two. Just long enough to scare the devil out of him.
Loretta cared too much for Farley. One reason could be that he was the first person she’d ever nursed back to health. Hawk could understand how something that momentous could form a kinship between two people. Too, it could have something to do with her stubborn will to hold fast to her vow. Maybe she saw Farley as the child she’d never have because she’d never marry, or perhaps she even thought he’d replace the brother she would be losing when Paxton married and had family of his own. Or, hell. He didn’t know. It could be a combination of all of it and then more.
Hawk only knew he didn’t trust Farley because the lad hadn’t given him any reason to think he was changing. In fact, trying to steal the puppy from Adele had only convinced Hawk he wanted Farley out of Loretta’s life. But he had to do it in a way she’d accept. And the only way he could think to do it was to find Farley another home. A good home. The lad going back to the streets and his old way of life would not satisfy her. And Hawk supposed he wasn’t keen on that idea either.
Loretta had strength in spades and a kind heart, too. Why else would she have forgiven her uncle for being so incredibly punitive? Why did she care if she disrespected his house again? Hawk sure as hell didn’t care if she did. But because of her, Hawk would be civil to the man when they discussed the marriage contracts, when what Hawk really wanted to do was call him out for the stern, blackhearted man he was.
“If you don’t want your winnings, I’ll happily take them off the table for you,” Rath said.
Instinctively Hawk looked down and started to rake the pile of coins toward him. Rath took hold of his wrist and stopped him.
“Look at the cards, Hawk.”
He glanced at all three hands. He hadn’t won. Griffin had. Damnation. Hawk pulled his wrist from Rath’s hold. So he hadn’t been fooling his friends about his participation in the evening after all.
“Your mind’s not on the game tonight,” Rath said, and leaned his chair back on its hind legs.
“It hasn’t been for some time,” Griffin added, dragging all the cards back into the deck. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re even in the room with us.”
Hawk harrumphed. “You both should know when it’s best not to take me to task.” Hawk picked up his brandy and took a sip.
“We’ve been friends too long to stay silent,” Rath said.
Griffin thumped the cards on the table a couple of times. “It’s because we’ve known you so long we have to ask what has your attention.”
“Because we don’t,” Rath added.
“Mr. Quick’s in town to finalize the marriage contracts between him and Adele,” Hawk answered, hoping to avoid further questions.
“This is what you wanted,” Griffin said as he started shuffling the cards. “That’s not bothering you. It’s something else.”
