Page 52 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

Lizzie nodded and closed her eyes, one lone tear tracking down her cheek. As hard as she tried to push away self-pity, it presented itself front and center. For as much as she’d been through, she still had overwhelming difficulties to face before she could return to some sort of comfortable life.

If she wasn’t dead or imprisoned before that life presented itself.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Five days later, Hawk tucked the blanket around Lizzie before taking the seat across from her in his coach. He’d picked the most comfortable carriage he owned for this trip to London and padded the seat with pillows. Lizzie was not completely recovered from her gunshot wound, but he didn’t want to wait any longer to go into hiding in London.

While he and Lizzie remained at Hawkins Manor, all three women’s lives were in danger. “I will have the driver make stops every couple hours. If, however, you are in too much pain, we will stop for the day at an inn.”

“Suppose someone is following us?”

“I have four outriders with us, as well as my tiger and driver. All of them are armed, as am I. I also have a man on horseback who will trail behind us for about a mile to make sure we are not followed.” He kissed her forehead. “Now try to rest. If you sleep, the trip will go much faster. Are you sure you don’t want your laudanum?”

“No. If it becomes too painful I will ask for it.”

The coach rolled forward, and Lizzie winced at the movement, but once they went into a smooth cadence, she relaxed. Thank God for his well-sprung coach, the numerous pillows, and the roads between Hawkins Manor and London that were better than a lot of roads, since they were so well traveled. If the trip became unbearable for Lizzie, he would hold her in his arms. They had to get to London, and he could not stand to watch her suffer.

He opened the book he’d brought with him to pass the time, but instead of reading, his thoughts drifted to what lay ahead. Once they were safely ensconced in Cam’s townhouse they needed to move quickly to obtain whatever information Lizzie unknowingly possessed. This had to end before one of these attacks resulted in her death.

That thought terrified him so much he broke into a sweat. He didn’t want to examine his feelings any closer, but one thing was sure. He did not want to lose her.

For the time being, Hawk had good cause not to trust anyone in the Home Office. He could not shake the feeling that if he brought her in for questioning, he would never see her alive again.

After they obtained the name of the person who had worked with Loverly, it might be necessary for them to go directly to the prime minster, depending on who the culprit was.

Three hours later, the coach came to a stop in front of The Thistle and Down Inn. Lizzie had slept most of the trip, for which he’d been grateful. She rested on her side, her hands folded under her cheek. Her face was at ease, all the tension of the past week wiped away. The lack of motion must have awakened her since her eyelids fluttered open and she smiled at him.

His heart stuttered, and he laughed at himself for what he’d been trying to deny. He wanted to protect this woman not just because she’d been placed into his care. But because he loved her.

The thought rattled him. He’d tried his best to convince himself all he felt for her was a sense of respect, protectiveness, and affection. Fool, him.

“Is everything all right?” The lines of tension were back in her lovely face as she struggled to sit up.

Hawk moved across the space and helped her settle against the squab. “Yes. Everything is fine, sweetheart. We have stopped for luncheon. Are you hungry?”

Lizzie covered her mouth, attempting to hide a yawn. “Not particularly, but I could use a nice cup of tea.”

The driver ope

ned the door. “I checked the area, my lord. No one is about.”

“Thank you, John.” Hawk stepped from the carriage and turned to assist Lizzie. She blinked at the bright sunlight and stumbled a bit. He was tempted to sweep her into his arms and carry her into the inn, but that would bring unwanted attention to their group. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her waist as they made their way inside.

Just then the outrider following a mile behind them entered the yard. Hawk turned to him with a questioning glance.

“All clear, my lord.”

Hawk nodded. “Good. Have something to eat. We will be ready to travel again in about an hour.”

The man tugged on his cap and trotted his horse over to the ostler who was changing the carriage horses.

Several locals were enjoying an ale in the common room. The innkeeper hurried up to them, wiping his hands on the massive apron covering his body. “Good day to you, my lord. The private dining room is right this way.” He waved toward a door in the rear.

“My wife will need assistance. Will you please send your wife in?”

The innkeeper bowed. “Of course, my lord.”

Hawk walked Lizzie over to a comfortable-looking chair and after helping her out of her pelisse, sat her down. “Why would I need the innkeeper’s wife?”