Page 49 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

“I certainly did push memories aside. They were much too painful.” She shook her head and moved ahead of him to enter the house.

…

Dinner was a pleasant affair. True to his word, Hawk had approached Honora about relinquishing a few gowns to Lizzie. She and Honora had spent the afternoon with the seamstress, choosing gowns and having them altered.

Honora’s gowns were much prettier than the gowns Lizzie had been wearing for the past two years. What suited her as a governess would certainly not do in her future life. That was, if her future life did not include taking up Newgate as her residence.

They settled on a few day dresses and one evening dress. Thankfully, Honora’s coloring was similar to Lizzie’s, so the gowns they chose looked fairly well on her.

In fact, Lizzie rather enjoyed how Hawk’s eyes lit up when she joined the family for drinks before dinner in the drawing room.

With his full lips set in the crooked smile she liked so much, he crossed the room as soon as she entered, took her hand, and bowed. “My dear, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Admittedly, the beautiful rose-colored soft muslin gown with small roses and green leaves embroidered around the neckline showed her off quite nicely. Lizzie was more endowed in the bosom than Honora, so while the seamstress was able to let the bodice out a bit, it was still too small, which had the effect of squeezing her breasts together and making them rise much farther above the neckline than had been intended.

If she had any doubt about the fit of the bosom part of the gown, it was immediately dismissed when Hawk had a hard time moving his eyes from that area. Lizzie dipped her head and lowered her voice. “My lord, I believe you’ve forgotten where my face is located.”

A naughty smile and riveting stare suggested he was quite pleased with where his eyes had landed and that he would much rather drag her upstairs than spend any more time in his mother and sister’s company. She tapped him on the arm with her fan, a flush rising above her bodice to cover her face. “Behave yourself.”

He patted her hand where she had placed it on his arm. “I never do, which you will soon find quite entertaining. Along those lines, I am quite pleased we are leaving for London tomorrow.” He stared straight ahead. “If Cam wishes to retain my friendship, he better be in possession of that license and have a vicar on call.”

/> Lizzie passed on the offer of a glass of sherry, and they were soon summoned by the butler for dinner. Again, Lizzie was given the place of honor next to Hawk. His mother and sister’s easy acceptance of their betrothal overwhelmed her. If the rest of the ton accepted her so easily once their marriage was announced, she would be thrilled. But the rigid standards of the Quality—especially the self-appointed guardians of virtue—would likely make her re-entrance into Society difficult.

I am your champion now.

The words calmed her as she glanced at Hawk who was speaking with his mother. It was hard to believe this handsome, well thought of, and very much coveted man among the young ladies of the ton would soon be hers. He glanced over at her, and his smoldering eyes and crooked smile melted her insides. With him by her side, things would certainly go much smoother.

Dinner was finished, and they had retired to the drawing room. While she, Hawk, and Lady Hawkins chatted, Honora entertained them with her pianoforte skills, which were quite remarkable. The music did much to soothe Lizzie’s anxiety about their trip the next morning.

“What are your plans to straighten out this little misunderstanding between the Home Office and dear Lizzie?” Lady Hawkins’ description of the terror Lizzie faced almost made her laugh. Leave it to a woman secure in her place in Society to refer to possible charges of treason, a visit to Newgate, and a public hanging as a little misunderstanding.

Hawk took the last sip of his tea and placed the cup on the saucer. “As for the little misunderstanding hanging over Lizzie’s head, I believe there are damming documents among the papers Lord Loverly left behind that will help us in our cause, if we are able to find them.”

“What sort of papers?”

“Ah, that is the conundrum. We are not at all sure what it is we are searching for. Since there have been attempts on Lizzie’s life, I assume there is something damning that whoever wishes her dead believes would incriminate him. A letter, a journal, some sort of written word. The key to solving the entire puzzle is to learn who that person is, clear Lizzie, and see that individual punished for his crime.”

“If you do not know what it is you are searching for, how do you intend to find that crucial evidence?” Lady Hawkins pointed out.

“I’d rather not say.” Hawk held up his hand when his mother began to speak. “If anyone from the Home Office comes here after we are gone and questions you, it is better if you do not know our plans. They cannot trick you into revealing something you don’t know.”

Hawk stood and reached out for Lizzie’s hand. “And now, I believe my betrothed and I will take a short stroll in the night air before we retire.” They crossed the drawing room and left the house through the patio doors.

“Look at that beautiful sky. It is such a lovely evening.” Lizzie took in a deep breath and admired the stars covering the sky like a jeweled canopy.

Hawk turned her and took her in his arms. “I am too taken with the beauty in my arms to notice anything else. ’Tis a shame to waste such a lovely night as this without a kiss.”

Lizzie slid her arms up his chest to circle his neck. “Indeed?”

“Yes.” Hawk lowered his head and devoured her mouth. He moved his palm down to her lower back and nudged her against his warm body.

A crack sounded in the air, and something slammed into Lizzie’s flesh. She slumped in Hawk’s arms.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Lizzie!” Hawk gripped her body as she fell against him. He immediately scooped her into his arms and rushed into the house. “Mother!”

Lady Hawkins jumped up from her seat. “Whatever is the matter?”