Her frown deepened. “When?”
“At Hawksthorn. When I asked you to marry me—which you declined by the way.”
Her gaze searched his face with intensity. “I don’t think you said the wordsI love you.”
“Maybe not those exact words but—”
She placed a finger to his lips and gave him an amused smile. “No buts. You didn’t say it.”
He kissed the pad of her finger and said, “Then let me make this clear to you right now, Loretta. I love you. Deeply. Why do you think I worked so hard to free you from your oath?”
She smiled. “So we could do what we just did.”
“That, too.” Hawk chuckled. “Which I was beginning to think might never happen.” He rose over her again and kissed her passionately. His hand lovingly caressed her shoulder. “I haven’t heard you say yes, Hawk, I’ll marry you.”
“I will,” she whispered earnestly. “You know I want to, but I don’t know what my uncle will say about what I’ve done.”
“He will never know about what happened between us just now, Loretta. No one will ever know about this, but us.”
“I meant recanting my vow.”
“What can he say?No, you can’t do it?” Hawk kissed the tip of her nose. “You already have. It is done. And dare I say the earl has probably broken more than a few vows himself.”
“He is an unforgiving man. I’m not sure how he will react when I tell him I have recanted my vow and want to marry you.”
Hawk brushed his hand through her long, golden tresses. “I understand why you are concerned, but this is not something you need to worry about. He will be delighted to learn you have done this and that his niece will be married to a duke. But no matter his reaction, you are mine. I will tell him.”
Loretta moistened her lips. “No, thank you for offering, but I must tell him. I can’t let you do that for me.”
“All right, but I want to be there so I can then ask for your hand. I don’t want to wait to tell him or to marry you. We’ll settle this tomorrow evening at my house. I’ll send over an invitation for all of you to come for dinner. Trust me, he won’t deny us.”
Loretta softly cupped Hawk’s cheek and stared into his loving eyes. “I didn’t think he’d leave me at Mammoth House for almost three years, but he did. With my uncle, I can never be sure of anything.”
“I am.” Hawk grinned. “Because I am a duke, and he is but a lowly earl.”
Chapter 26
A gentleman must never make a promise to a lady that he doesn’t know he can keep.
APROPERGENTLEMAN’SGUIDETOWOOINGTHEPERFECTLADY
SIRVINCENTTYBALTVALENTINE
It was already late afternoon. Dusk was near. Still Hawk waited at the entrance to an alcove that led to several shops. People came and went all afternoon, but Hawk didn’t take his eyes off the steps. Farley had to return at some time, and when he did, Hawk was ready.
When Loretta had visited Hawksthorn, she’d told him Farley said he lived under the steps of an old building near St. James Park. That wasn’t much to go on, but enough information for Hawk to get started looking for the boy.
At dawn, when Hawk had seen that Loretta was safely inside her uncle’s house, he went straight to Bow Street. Knowing he couldn’t cover such a large area around the park by himself, he hired three runners to help him. They scoured the area for buildings tall enough that a boy could build a room underneath the steps to sleep in. It had takenmost of the day, but damnation, if one of the men hadn’t found Farley’s little hole of a room that had been dug out of the dirt.
Hawk was certain it was Farley’s. There was no sign of the jewelry, but Hawk recognized some of the lad’s clothing. The little thief had been quite skillful in making the space dry and fairly safe, where he could come and go from each side of the steps. Hawk didn’t intend to lose the bugger now that he’d found him. He’d stationed runners near the building to help if he had to give chase.
But time wasn’t on his side as the afternoon grew late. He’d hoped to be done with this by now and be home, dressed and ready for Loretta, Paxton, and their uncle. He couldn’t wait to inform the earl that Loretta was going to be his bride as soon as Hawk could arrange it. Loretta didn’t trust the man’s reaction and for good reason. But Hawk knew the Earl of Switchingham would be pleased and enjoy all the clout the new position of having a niece married to a duke would afford him.
Just as dusk was giving way to darkness, Hawk saw the lad approaching. He was walking slowly and holding his side. Protecting the jewelry, Hawk assumed. He motioned to the runners, giving them all the upturn of his thumb. Each man nodded. He had no doubt that Farley was quick and adept at slipping in and out of his makeshift home with ease.
Hawk waited a couple of minutes, wanting to give Farley time to get settled inside. The runners moved in closer, too, as Hawk approached. But then one of the runners’ boots skidded on a rock. The canvas covering was slung aside and Farley shot out of the hole and right past Hawk. He grabbed the back of Farley’s coat and locked his arms around the boy’s thin chest.
Farley cried out in pain, stunning Hawk. The boy continued to squirm, kick, and groan. Hawk loosed his grip, not wanting to hurt him, but determined he wouldn’t get away.
