Page 66 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

“My lord, Cook heard your carriage drive up and had already added sandwiches to the tray.”

“Thank you.”

They waited while the footman placed the tea things on a table in front of the sofa. Despite her eagerness to learn what had happened, she poured tea, arranged sandwiches, biscuits, and a lemon tart on a plate, and handed it to Hawk. She was happy with just tea since it was unlikely her knotted stomach could handle food.

“It is neither good nor bad news because the Home Secretary knows we’ve given your father’s townhouse a thorough going-over and found nothing.”

Lizzie placed her teacup on the table and sat back against the sofa. “Then why is he coming here?”

“He isn’t. I still trust no one with your safety, so I told him we would meet at three this afternoon at our townhouse. We will leave here the way we arrived, dressed as servants, and enter our townhouse through the back door. It won’t be quite as safe in the daylight, but those who would recognize us rarely pay attention to servants scurrying along the pavement.”

“Did he indicate why he wanted to meet with me?”

Hawk swallowed a gulp of tea and shook his head. “No. But I am quite sure he wants to merely ask you the very same questions I have already asked at Wycliff Manor, and then again on the road to London.”

Lizzie stood and gripped her middle. “Will this ever end?” She walked across the room and studied the gardener busy pulling dead flowers. Before she drew another breath, Hawk was behind her, the warmth from his body, and the scent of sandalwood, comforting her.

He rested his hands on her shoulders and drew her against his chest. “We need the Home Office’s help to locate the person ordering the attacks on you. Believe me when I tell you they are as anxious to expose this person as we are.”

She turned. “Then they believe I know nothing, but someone thinks I do?”

“Yes.”

She nodded. “That is a small relief.”

…

At precisely three o’clock, Home Secretary Sidmouth arrived at Hawk’s townhouse. Most likely because of the uncertainty in their lives since their marriage, she still did not think of it as her home yet.

Earlier, when they had arrived from Cam’s house, the daylight pouring through the tall windows allowed her to see the space better than when they’d arrived from Hawkins Manor. She made several mental notes of what she would change if their life ever assumed some normalcy.

Arthur, Hawk’s butler, announced the arrival of Lord Sidmouth in his very well-polished voice, then stepped aside to allow the Home Secretary to enter. The thought flitted through her mind that she would also need to be introduced to the household staff sometime soon.

The Home Secretary immediately walked to Lizzie and bowed. “My lady, it is a pleasure to see you once again. I wish you happy on your recent marriage.”

Since it would be considered rude to express her true feelings about seeing him again, Lizzie merely smiled and held out her hand for him to take. “Welcome to our home, my lord.”

There, she said it. Our home. Maybe she would start to feel as if it t

ruly was soon.

She waved in the direction of the drawing room. “May I offer you refreshments, my lord?”

“No. I do not require any. And I think this will not take long.”

Once they were all settled, Sidmouth directed his attention to Lizzie. “My lady, I would ask a favor of you.”

She was certain surprise showed on her face, since she could not imagine what he would require of her. “If I am able, my lord.” She cast a sideways glance at Hawk, who regarded her with raised eyebrows, telling her he was unaware of what the Home Secretary was about to ask.

“His lordship brought to my attention that there has been an attempt on your life.”

“Three, actually,” Hawk said as he took Lizzie’s hand in his. “Two more after the one I told you happened at Wycliff Manor.”

Sidmouth nodded. “Your husband has presented a theory that I am unable to dismiss. He believes someone in my office was the person working with your father. The guilt and distress that conclusion causes me does not eradicate my responsibility to uncover this criminal and see justice done. I also agree with Lord Hawkins that this is the same person who has caused the attempts on your life.”

Hawk ran his thumb over her knuckles as they continued to study the Home Secretary.

The man stood and linked his fingers behind his back. “That is where the favor comes in.” He turned his attention to Lizzie. “Even though you have found nothing at your father’s townhouse that might incriminate this individual, I would like to put forth, among a few high-ranking people at the Home Office, the false rumor that you do, indeed, possess information, and you are setting up a meeting with me to hand the papers over.”