Page 48 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

“Oh, please don’t bother. I will be happy with this toast and an orange.”

“No, my dear. My son has left strict instructions that you are to be well fed and well rested before you leave for London.” She gave orders to the footman while Lizzie considered Hawk’s arrogance. He left instructions on how much she was to eat? Well, that was a tad overprotective. She was a woman grown, for heaven’s sake.

Although, truth be told, she was quite hungry, and the toast and orange would not have been enough. It was his high-handedness that bothered her. She had been on her own for the past two years, and she had no intention of turning over her entire day-to-day existence to Lord Hawkins.

Chapter Twenty-One

“It’s just occurred to me that perhaps you would have preferred a ride this morning, instead of a walk.” Hawk sauntered alongside Lizzie, her arm in his as they meandered through the garden. The summer flowers were beginning to wilt.

The grounds at Hawkins Manor were well kept by a staff of gardeners, but this small flower garden had been his mother’s pride and joy for as long as he could remember. With her straw hat protecting her delicate skin, she took to the area each day and dug in the dirt like no other countess he knew.

“In my hurry to leave Wycliff Manor I did not bring all of my clothing with me. I’m afraid my riding habit was one of the garments I left behind.”

“Ah. At least that is one problem I can fix very easily for you. Once we resolve all your issues with the Home Office, you shall visit the modiste and have an entire wardrobe made.” Hawk wasn’t certain of his ability to be a good husband, having eschewed the matter for years, but his pockets were deep enough to provide his wife with all the material goods she desired. Hopefully, that would be a start for Lizzie.

“I am glad you brought that up.” She turned and tilted her head to look up at him, the fire in her eyes intriguing.

A gently reared lady who was able to rescue herself from the clutches of the Home Office and disappear for two years was no demure miss. Lizzie had a steel backbone and was not shy about making her thoughts known. He envisioned many scrapes over the years, with all the wonderful ways they could make up. “Why is that, sweeting?”

Lizzie raised her chin. “I do hope it is not your intention to assume you may direct my life. You left instructions with your mother on how much I was to eat, and now you have practically ordered me to visit with a modiste. Admittedly, I am under your control regarding your orders from the Home Office, but I assure you, I will not tolerate being dictated to in my everyday life.”

Hawk grinned at her, which immediately had her shoulders stiffening. Yes, many scrapes, indeed. “I will be your husband. As such, I am responsible for you. By law I must feed you, clothe you, and provide a roof over your head. Should you get into any sort of trouble, it is my duty to correct the situation.” He patted her hand. “You will no longer be alone, Lizzie. I am your champion now.”

She nodded. “True, and I appreciate that, especially the ‘not alone’ part. However, I shall be the one to decide when I visit the modiste, which articles of clothing I shall have made up, and how much food I eat.”

“Of course. My apologies if I have overstepped.”

That must have been the right thing to say since her body relaxed, and the tight lines on her face softened. She glanced away, but not before he glimpsed tears filling her eyes.

They continued their stroll in silence, both lost in their thoughts. “After making a fuss about visiting the modiste, I now find myself chagrined, and low on clothing, since the few gowns I managed to bring with me are wrinkled messes despite Lady Honora’s maid’s best efforts at pressing them.”

“Perhaps my sister has a gown or two you may have. With the bills I am forever presented with, she must have an immense wardrobe.” He looked her up and down. “You are a bit taller and more filled out than Honora, but I’m sure her lady’s maid can alter something for you to bring with us to London.”

“Thank you, I believe I will take you up on that offer.”

“See. I am not so very difficult to deal with, am I?”

“Um, sometimes.” She grinned, despite the obvious effort she was putting into not doing so.

She looked adorable, and unable to help himself, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all the passion he’d been holding in since they’d arrived at his home. But it would do no good to allow that free rein since there was nothing he could do about it. He pulled back and scattered kisses over her jawline and up to the softly scented skin under her ear. “We will marry as soon as we arrive in London. Cam will have the special license by then.”

Her body pressed against his, telling him she was as aroused as he. “How? I thought our presence in London was to remain a secret?”

Hawk pushed backed the curl that had come loose. “Cam will arrange to have a vicar at his house.”

“It is nice to have connections.” She smiled, and they continued their walk.

He hoped his connections would keep Lizzie out of prison. As his countess, her status would increase, and it would be harder to prosecute her. However, treason was prosecutable even for lords, so it was not a guaranteed solution.

It remained their best strategy to gain access to Loverly’s townhouse and search the place for whatever it was the person attempting to kill Lizzie wanted. If they had a name to go to the Home Secretary with, the Home Office’s interest in Lizzie would end.

“I am anxious to get this straightened out,” Lizzie said. “I feel quite refreshed after a good night’s sleep, and I don’t think I require another day to recover.” She looked up at him. “May we leave for London tomorrow? I’d rather get this entire thing over with.”

Hawk studied her. “Are you sure? One more day won’t make a great deal of difference.”

Lizzie sighed. “Another day of worrying. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of where Father would have papers or anything else that could incriminate another person. Aside from the safe, which I’m sure the Home Office found a way to open, there is no other place.”

Hawk patted her hand as they climbed the steps back to the house. “Once we arrive at the townhouse, something might come to you. Don’t forget you’ve been gone for two years. Seeing the place might bring back memories you’ve pushed aside.”