Page 15 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

His elf-like face was almost completely hidden by a mustache, whitened by time, with his head covered by an old-fashioned wig, not quite centered on his head. He barely came up to Lizzie’s chin. “Good afternoon, my lady, my lord. I am Mr. Peabody, and I am at your service.”

Hawkins studied her when Lizzie automatically dipped her head, accepting the greeting, and smiled. Oh, dear. Had she acknowledged being addressed as “my lady” with too much familiarity? Hawkins had noticed.

Rather than make a scene over it, she merely released Hawkins’s arm and spoke to the shopkeeper. “Good afternoon, Mr. Peabody. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Yes, always nice to see you as well.” He turned to Hawkins. “I feel I know you, my lord, but it’s been a while since you last visited.”

“You are correct. I am visiting at the Wycliff Estate. It has been well over two years since I’ve graced my cousins with my presence.”

The shopkeeper nodded. His wig shifted again, resting lower on his forehead. Lizzie had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. “Please take your time and enjoy your visit. I will be in the backroom going through a new shipment if you need anything.” He bowed and left them.

“Mr. Peabody is such a sweet old man,” Lizzie said as he ambled away. She pulled off her gloves and tucked them into her reticule. “Now I shall do exactly as the bookseller said and enjoy myself.”

“As will I.” Hawkins turned from her and walked to an area against the far wall, and Lizzie breathed a sigh of relief. It would not have been possible for her to relax and browse the shelves if Lord Hawkins had remained next to her.

Her stomach continued to do funny little things when he was near enough to smell the scent of Bergamot, mixed with something minty, and to feel the warmth of his body right through their clothes.

She pulled a book from the shelf and flipped through the pages, but instead of her eyes on the tome, she studied Hawk. It was very easy to see why he disturbed her so. He was truly the most handsome man she had ever seen.

He was long limbed, with powerful thighs covered by tight-fitting pantaloons, and he sported shiny Hessian boots. His shoulders filled out his jacket quite well, a generous chest tapering down to slim hips. His starched cravat had been meticulously tied under his firm, arrogant chin.

She studied the way his straight raven-black hair fell over his broad forehead as he turned the pages of the book he held in his strong hands. She shuddered, thinking of those hands gliding over her naked skin.

Wherever is that thought coming from? Suddenly feeling quite warm, she waved her hand in front of her face, wishing she had one of the fans she’d always carried to balls. Just then, Hawk glanced up at her. His smile did nothing to cool her off.

Lizzie purchased a slim volume of poetry at the bookstore. Next, they strolled to the milliner for two ribbons, a bakery for tarts that Hawk insisted she eat right then, and finally to The Purple Cow pub, where they had tea with small watercress sandwiches and fresh-from-the-oven biscuits.

“I promised not to talk about you, but one thing I must know.” Lord Hawkins grinned at her over his mug of ale.

“I told you I am not very interesting. But I will allow one question.”

He placed his mug on the table and took her hand in his. “If you were not a governess, what would you be, Miss Moore? A princess? A queen? What were your dreams when you were a little girl?”

His hand was warm, strong. His thumb rubbed over her knuckles, and she had the sudden urge to tell him everything. Share the burden she’d borne for two years. She stared into his deep brown eyes and saw more than she wanted to. She tugged her hand back and tilted her head in a saucy manner. “Why would I stop at princess or queen? I would be a king, or

a knight in shining armor on my trusty steed.”

He lowered his head, and his mouth moved closer to her ear. “Maybe you need a knight in shining armor, Miss Moore.”

She sucked in a breath. Whatever made him say that?

“Do you?”

She licked her lips, and his eyes moved to her mouth. “Do I what?”

Lord Hawkins took her hand again, holding it tighter so she couldn’t pull away. “Do you need a knight in shining armor?”

She certainly did. But she’d given up that fairy tale two years ago. As if awakening from a dream, she drew back and took the last sip of her ale. “There is no such thing, my lord.”

As if he realized he’d stepped over the line, his shoulders stiffened, and he pushed his empty mug away. “I agree. There are no fairy tales. At least none with happy endings.”

Perhaps there were, but they were definitely not for her. The closest she would ever get to a happily ever after was by reading storybooks to the children.

“Another question.” The rakish gleam was back in his eyes.

“My lord, I allowed one question.”

He placed his hand over his heart and gave her the grin she was sure had women all over London swooning at his feet. “I swear this is my last one.”