Page 64 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

“We have been here for hours with no one aware of our presence.” He nibbled at her ear lobe, bringing shivers to her entire body as his warm breath bathed her skin.

“Yes. Your observation is true.” She began to scatter kisses along his strong jawline, her favorite spot to place her lips.

“I doubt anyone has been watching the house.” His hand drifted to her breast, squeezing, rubbing his thumb over her already erect nipple.

“Also a true observation, my lord. You are very astute this morning.” She giggled as he pushed her to the floor and covered her body with his.

“Do you know what I like best about these breeches, my countess?”

She grinned up at him. “What is that, my lord?”

“I love peeling them off you.”

“Oh my.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The day after the unsuccessful Loverly townhouse search, Hawk stepped out of the carriage in front of the Home Office at 50 Queen Anne’s Gate. The summons from the Secretary had arrived at his London townhouse earlier that morning. His head butler sent the missive with one of the trusted footmen to Cam’s house. Still disappointed at not finding anything of import in Lord Loverly’s home, Hawk made his way up the stairs, into the building, and turned right toward the Home Secretary’s office.

“Lord Sidmouth requested my presence.” Hawk offered the information to the man sitting in front of the Home Secretary’s office.

“Yes, sir, Lord Hawkins. I believe his lordship was also expecting Lady Elizabeth Munro.”

“Is Sidmouth available?” There was no point in informing this man that Lady Elizabeth Munro no longer existed. He would explain it all to Sidmouth when granted an audience.

“Yes, my lord. Just let me tell him you have arrived.” The man hurried through the door and was gone a mere minute or two. “My Lord Secretary will see you now.”

Hawk entered the vast office just as Lord Sidmouth was replacing a

pen in its holder. He looked up, offered no greeting, and sat back, resting his arms on the chair armrest. “Have a seat, Hawkins.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Sidmouth leaned forward. “Where is Lady Elizabeth Munro, whom you were ordered to bring to London two weeks ago?”

“Lady Elizabeth Munro is no more.”

Sidmouth’s brows rose to his hairline. “Is the woman dead, then?”

Did Hawk detect a bit of satisfaction in the man’s demeanor? Or was he looking for things that weren’t there? ’Twas best to stay on alert, since he had no idea who the villain was in this play.

“No. She is not dead. Lady Elizabeth Munro is now The Right Honorable, the Countess of Hawkins.”

No surprise showed on the Secretary’s face. He put his fingertips together and tapped his lips. “I see.”

Hawk said nothing, allowing Sidmouth to make the first move after his statement. He who speaks first loses.

“Why is Lady Hawkins not with you then, as ordered?”

“Someone in the Home Office wants my wife dead.”

“Indeed?” It was hard not to know if the man was shocked or not. Hawk looked for clues because if he couldn’t trust the Home Secretary, he would go straight to the Prime Minister with his information. Or to Prinny, if necessary.

Hawk leaned back and rested his booted foot on his knee. “I was already visiting my cousin at his estate when the missive from your office reached me. It had been delivered to my London townhouse and forwarded to Suffolk. However, before the correspondence even reached me, there was an attempt made on my countess’s life. The only people who knew my wife’s location were in the Home Office. Unless, that is, you made the announcement throughout London.”

The Secretary shook his head. “Only a select few were made aware of Lady Eliz—Lady Hawkins’s whereabouts.”

“Who?”