Page 30 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

No amount of persuasion from Loverly’s daughter would convince him to relate that story exactly the way it had happened.

“Your father was brought back from America by the Duke of Bedford and placed into prison. After only a few days, he escaped, and it was assumed he was headed back to America. However, before he was able to secure passage on any ship, Bedford, Lord Campbell, Mr. Templeton, and I tracked him down, where Bedford shot him to keep him from escaping once again.”

Tears filled her eyes, and her delicate hands in her lap shook. “Was it quick?”

“Yes. He died instantly.”

She nodded, her lips tight.

Bloody hell.

She shuddered, and he realized she was trying to hold in sobs. He reached across the space and pulled her to his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m so sorry.”

Sobs wracked her body. As a bachelor of the ton, he’d been subjected more than once to fake female tears, which had moved him not at all. But this woman was suffering greatly, and he had no idea how to comfort her. So, he did as he’d done before and just held her in his arms. He handed her his handkerchief, then positioned her head against his chest, rubbing his fingers through her hair.

Eventually, her tears ended. “I apologize, my lord.” She sat up and looked at his chest, dabbing the soggy handkerchief against her cheeks. “I am a watering pot lately, and I believe I have saturated your jacket.”

“No matter. It will give my valet something to complain about, which is what he lives for.” Her grin didn’t quite make it to her eyes.

Some women looked lovely and delicate when they cried. However, Lizzie’s lovely face was blotchy, her eyes red and swollen, and her hair in disarray. Yet, she had never looked more beautiful. Everything male and protective inside him raised its head. Although he’d been wrestling with the order from the Home Secretary, at that moment he decided despite whatever orders he received, he was not going to bring her to London. He would clear her name first.

“Once you are composed, I wish to ask you some questions.”

She took a deep breath. “I am calmer. Sometimes a good cry is beneficial.”

Hawk grinned. “I find a good bout of fisticuffs a better remedy.”

“I suppose that may be the difference between men and women.” Her smile was slight, but true.

He tried very hard not to look imposing. He was familiar with the method used to question suspects, which had been part of his work for the Foreign Office during the war. That was how he had ended up on the Home Office’s list of lords willing to help on occasion—for special tasks.

Sitting before him was a gently reared young lady who had suffered a great deal for something of which she had no part. If he believed her—which he did. Everything he’d seen of her since they’d met, as well as the two years she’d been with Wycliff, told him if she had any nefarious activities in her background, something of that nature would have made itself known before now.

When he’d questioned Wycliff about her comings and goings, his cousin and his countess had painted a picture of a quiet, demure, well-mannered young lady who rarely left the house during her time off and had made no friends in the village. She’d given them no reason whatsoever to suspect she was anything but what she had presented.

“There is a reason why the Home Office questioned you after your father disappeared. It was well known that Loverly had been working with at least one other person. There was a time when it had been suggested that the other person was a woman.”

“Yes, the man who questioned me mentioned that. But I know of no women who were friends with my father. Of course, I didn’t know everything about him—obviously—but all his cronies that he spent time with were men.”

“Did he attend ton events with you?”

Lizzie shook her head. “No, he hired a companion for me at the beginning of the Season.”

Hawk sat up. “Who was the companion?”

For the first time since the discussion started, Lizzie laughed. “Oh, my lord, no, no. I’m sure Miss Wallace was no enemy of the Crown.”

“Tell me about Miss Wallace.”

“She was somewhere in her sixth decade. A lovely woman, who had fallen upon hard times and spent many years with her sister. Once Lady Lockhart passed away, Miss Wallace moved in with an aged aunt and then a grouchy cousin until she accepted the position as my companion.”

Hawk considered. A woman with no means, possibly bitter about her life. It might not be such a stretch to believe she might become involved in a scheme that would provide her with some coin. Even being in her sixth decade.

“I don’t know what you are thinking, my lord, but believe me when I tell you Miss Wallace was a deeply religious person, compassionate, caring, and would never betray her country. When this all came to light, she was as surprised and upset as I’d been.”

Deciding to put that aside for now, but not cross her completely off his list, he asked, “What became of Miss Wallace when you made your escape?”

“She was the only person—besides Lady Franklin, who found the position for me—who knew where I had gone. She secured another position for herself before I left. As far as I know she is still in London with another friend of Lady Franklin’s.”