Page 41 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

Within a few minutes, he stirred and rested on his elbows. “I will get a cloth to clean you.”

Despite their intimacy mere minutes before, she was uncomfortable at him wanting to clean her. She shifted to hop up. “That is all right. I can do it.”

At her nudging, he moved the arm he had wrapped around her and she slid off the bed. Then she wondered if it was not more embarrassing to be parading around naked to the wash basin and cloths on the dresser. She certainly had no idea what the proper conduct was for such a situation. Miss Wallace had not shared that bit of information.

Luckily, the room had a dressing screen, so she slipped behind it and cleaned herself up, noting the smear of blood on her thighs. Then, dreading the return to the bed naked, she called out, “Um, could you close your eyes?”

“Why?” She swore she heard a chuckle in his voice, the dratted man.

“Because.”

“That is a splendid reason, sweeting. I shall close my eyes.”

Lizzie scurried out from the screen and made a dash for the bed. On the way, she scooped up her nightgown and slithered into it. The bed bounced as she landed next to Hawk.

Who had his eyes open, with a wide grin on his face!

Chapter Eighteen

Since they’d already lost travel time, Hawk dressed quickly as Lizzie lay in bed, the covers drawn up to her chin, watching him. A conversation about what had just happened was necessary, but they could do that in the carriage on their way to Hawkins Manor.

“If you can dress quickly, I will see that the innkeeper has breakfast ready when you come downstairs. I promise you a nice hot bath tonight when we stop.” Traveling that much today was probably not the best thing to do, since Lizzie would most likely be very sore, but the sooner he got her to Hawkins Manor the better he would feel about her safety.

He hesitated for a moment, then strode over to where she rested and kissed her on the forehead. She only stared at him. A bit discombobulated, he left the room.

His reception from her was precisely why he avoided entanglements with the women he bedded. After the wonderful time they’d had, she acted as though he’d done something wrong. Widows and unhappy matrons were always satisfied with a good romp in bed. Opera dancers wanted jewelry, clothing, and a carriage.

Wives got everything a man claimed ownership to. His title, homes, money, consequence, and children. But what did a man do to soothe a woman who was not a widow, unhappy matron, wife, or opera dancer?

Make her my wife.

That was exactly where his thoughts were headed, but until this matter with her father was cleared up, he could not commit himself. He was certain she had not been involved with her father’s actions. But knowing that and finding proof was another thing. A minor crime committed by the wife of a peer could be swept under the rug. While treason was not a minor crime, being his countess would give her an advantage she had not had being Lord Loverly’s daughter.

If he truly wanted to protect her…

Lizzie joined him in the private dining room looking less somber than when he’d left her. “This looks wonderful.” She settled in her seat and eyed the dishes on the table. Porridge, bacon, boiled eggs, warm rolls, creamed herring, and fruit.

“Yes. Quite a repast. Once we have finished we will head to Hawkins Manor.”

Lizzie swallowed a bite of bacon, along with a sip of tea. “How long of a journey is it from here?”

“The few hours of travel we lost yesterday puts us behind, but if the roads remain dry, we should gain enough time to make only one more overnight stop. We could probably push it, but once it grows dark, it is difficult to travel.”

“Then what?”

“I dispatched a man this morning with a message to the Home Secretary. At this point he is the only one I trust. I am hoping he will put the request for me to return you to London on hold until we can discover what the person making attempts on your life is seeking. I am sure it is all tied together. There must be something that your father did or said that makes this person believe you are a threat to him.”

Lizzie shook her head and dabbed her mouth with her serviette. “I have thought about it, even after our discussion yesterday, and still, nothing comes to mind.”

“There must be something, a piece of paper, a book, a ledger that incriminates this person, and he thinks you have access to it.” Hawk reached across the table and placed his hand on hers. “I just want you to know I will protect you, and make sure no harm comes to you.”

As much as he meant those words, the picture of him picking up his muddied sister’s body from the rain-drenched ditch where their carriage had overturned flashed in his mind. He’d not taken proper care of her.

He closed his eyes and tightened his hold on her hand as the pain ran through his body, as fresh as the night it had happened. “No. I will not allow anything to happen to you.”

“I think perhaps we should speak about this morning.” They had been riding in the carriage for about an hour. The silence was wrought with tension, but during that time, he’d thought of various ways to bring up what they’d shared. No matter that he had reservations about the problems she faced. He had to be a gentleman.

“I believe we should marry.”