Page 31 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

“Did you keep in touch with her?”

“No. We thought it best if we did not continue our friendship. She’s a lovely lady. Truly she is. I know she did not have anything to do with my father’s doings.”

…

Lizzie hoped Hawk believed her, even though he gave no indication he didn’t. If she couldn’t get him on her side, she had no chance of avoiding an interview with the Home Office. The thought terrified her. She found herself in a position where she had to trust Lord Hawkins, and she wasn’t sure she should.

She had trusted her father to take care of her, and up until the end he had done so quite well. His drunken confession had shattered her world, and a part of her would never feel whole again. “You do believe me, don’t you?”

“Let’s say I believe you believe so.” He pushed back a loose curl from her forehead. “What I want you to do is try to remember your father right before all the accusations became known.”

“I didn’t know anything about it until right before he disappeared.” She hated how anxious and shaky her voice sounded, but she was terrified.

Hawk took her hands in his. “Sweetheart, I want you to calm down. I’m not accusing you of anything, and I’m not saying I doubt you. However, I have learned even though matters are not obvious to us, in the background we are aware of them. Might you have overheard an unfamiliar name mentioned when your father didn’t know you were listening?”

“My first inclination is to say no, but I promise I will consider it.”

“What about ledgers and papers? Did your father have a safe? Or a special place he would keep important documents?”

“I saw him take my mother’s jewels out of the safe in his office one time.” She dabbed at her eyes again. “It was when I turned one and twenty. He said he’d bought them for her himself, so they did not belong to the estate, and he wanted me to have them.” Her voice shook at the end of the sentence. “I am sorry, I’m afraid this brings back memories that I haven’t thought of in two years.”

“And I apologize to have brought them to the surface again. It is certainly not my intention to cause you distress.”

She nodded. “I understand.” She rubbed her head where the beginning of a megrim had made itself known.

Watching her carefully, Hawk said, “For now, let us put all of that aside. Perhaps a short nap might be just the thing. I suspect you could use a rest.”

She made to move to the other side of the carriage, but he held fast. “No, stay here. Rest your head against my chest.” He shifted so his back leaned against the side of the carriage, with Lizzie practically lying on top of him.

“I don’t think this is quite proper.”

“Probably not.” He grinned at her. “But you must admit, I make a fine pillow.”

Despite her reluctance, she settled on his chest, finding it warm and comforting. “A bit hard, though.”

She fell asleep to the sound of his heart beating in her ear and the scent of leather, horses, and Hawk in her nostrils.

“Lizzie?” A soft voice woke her, and at first she couldn’t understand why there was a man in her bedchamber. The second thing she noticed was her head hurt

more than any headache she’d ever had. She raised her hand to block the sunlight coming through the window, making the pain worse.

“Where am I?” Everything looked fuzzy, and she felt odd.

“We’ve stopped at the Red Lion Inn for luncheon.” He studied her as she attempted to sit up, then fell back down again. “Are you well?” He wrapped his arm around her and gently brought her forward to lean against him.

“My head.” It was about all she could get out. She’d never had a pain as bad as this.

The driver opened the door, and Lizzie moaned and shifted so her face was tucked against Hawk’s chest.

“We were stopping for luncheon, but her ladyship is unwell. Please ask the innkeeper for a room, and I will bring her inside when it is ready.” His voice rumbled against her cheek.

Lizzie cringed when the driver closed the door.

“We will stop here for the night, even though it’s early. You cannot continue to travel in a carriage with your head hurting. In fact, I will summon a physician when we get you settled.”

“I don’t think that is necessary.”

“Nevertheless, that is what we shall do. Remember you suffered a head injury not long ago.”