Page 27 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

Truth be known, she was almost happy he’d found her. Besides the difficulty of traveling with strangers, she had no idea where she was going, and how long her money would last. She was weary, hungry, and in need of a bath after the stagecoach.

She didn’t even flinch when he announced he wanted a room for him and his wife. He would not let her out of his sight now, and with it growing dark soon, they couldn’t travel back to Wycliff. Or into London if that was where he planned on dragging her.

“Certainly, my good man. I have a large chamber with a sitting room.”

“That will do. My wife will also require a bath, and dinner sent up to the room.”

Lizzie trudged up the stairs and down the corridor to a room at the end of the walkway, the innkeeper in front of her, and Hawk bringing up the rear. The innkeeper opened the door and allowed them to step in. “I will send my wife to assist your wife with her bath.”

Hawk nodded and closed the door.

Lizzie walked to the settee in front of the window in the sitting room and slumped into the soft cushions. “I suppose I am on my way to London, now.”

Hawk shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it on the back of the settee. “No.”

She looked up at him, frowning. “No? I thought you were ordered by the Home Office to bring me in.”

He sat next to her and took her hands. “Lizzie, had you waited, you would have discovered that I had plans to bring you to my estate in Suffolk. Right now, I have serious questions about the Home Office, and the tampered saddle, which I believe may be connected. I can protect you at my estate until I have this all figured out.”

Tears welled in her eyes—all the fear, weariness, and stress of the day catching up with her. “Oh.”

She lowered her head, the tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. As much as she attempted to have a dignified cry, she covered her face with her hands, and the sobs burst forth. Hawk pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head as she cried.

For her dead father. His disgrace. The stress of running, the years of hiding. The toss from the horse, the threat from the Home Office, and the horrible day of traveling on the stagecoach.

“It’s all right, sweetheart. We’ll get it all sorted out.”

His kind words only made her cry harder. But, unlike most men uncomfortable with women’s tears, Hawk did not try to escape as quickly as possible. He continued to hold her, rubbing her back and murmuring words of comfort that she could not make out.

She drew back and wiped her cheeks. “You told the innkeeper we were married. I am ruined.”

Hawk threw his head back and laughed. “My dear, you are wanted by the Home Office for questioning about treason, someone might be trying to kill you, and you are concerned about being ruined?”

Despite her worry about scandal, she had to laugh along with him. It was rather silly to be worried about ruination right now. “’Tis something that is impressed upon young ladies from the nursery.” She hiccupped.

“I understand your concerns, sweeting. However, I cannot take a chance on you running again, and have you forgotten there is someone out there who wants to harm you? You need my protection, and from the looks of the crowd in the room downstairs who heard my request, I don’t think you need to worry about a scandal erupting in London about us anytime soon.”

Hawk tipped her chin up. “I shall hire a private coach, but it won’t be available until tomorrow. I suggest you have your bath, dinner, and a good night’s sleep.”

“How far is it to your estate?” She accepted the handkerchief he handed her and blew her nose.

“About a day and a half, depending on the roads and weather.”

Lizzie sighed. The light throbbing in her head had begun to turn into something more uncomfortable. She rubbed her temples, wishing for this nightmare to be over. Her peace and contentment for the past two years had been ripped out from under her, and now she was at sixes and sevens.

A knock at the door drew their attention. Hawk rose and answered. A middle-aged woman stood there, towels over her arms. “My lord, my sons are bringing up the tub and hot water for your wife’s bath.”

Hawk stepped aside to allow the woman entrance, which was followed by four strapping youths carrying the items. Within minutes they had the tub set up and the water poured, and left the room.

After directing the young men and seeing that all was set up to her standards, the woman turned to Hawk. “When would you like your dinner sent up, my lord?”

“Give us an hour.”

The woman dipped and left the room. Hawk walked over to Lizzie and pulled her up. “As much as I would enjoy watching you in your bath, despite my reputation, I am still a gentleman.”

She nodded.

He grinned. “Unless you want me to…”