Page 69 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

Cam pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. “What is it the Home Secretary wants her to do? Start at the beginning and tell me the entire story.”

“I need another drink.”

“You do not need another drink. Coffee and food are on the way.”

“Yes. I am hungry. I don’t think I’ve eaten dinner.”

“The Home Secretary?”

Hawk raised his fist in the air. “Blast it all, I’m her husband. I won’t allow it!” With those forceful words, he closed his eyes as his body pitched forward and he landed face-first on the floor with a thud.

…

The next morning, Lizzie sat in the drawing room, pretending to work on her embroidery. She attempted to keep herself busy while waiting for Hawk to descend the stairs and leave the house. He’d arrived in their bedchamber in the middle of the night, leaning against Cam. He had reeked of brandy and took off only his jacket, cravat, and waistcoat—with much fumbling and swearing—before falling onto the mattress alongside her. He’d sat up and attempted to tug off his boots, but eventually he’d fallen back when he had no success.

Before she could even take full stock of his condition, he was sound asleep and snoring to raise the dead.

This morning, however, he told her he would be leaving the house midmorning to take care of business. She had merely nodded, still angry with him. He’d looked at her at one point, as if he wanted to say something, but instead had touched her lightly on her cheek, then turned on his heel and left the room.

She did not want to alert Hawk of her plan to visit the Home Office and was afraid if he brought up the subject again, she would blurt out her intentions. She had always found it difficult to dissemble over things that were forefront in her mind. ’Twas a much better idea to tell Hawk after it had been done.

She looked up as Hawk stood in the doorway to the drawing room. “I will return for dinner.”

Oh, how she wished she could confide in him, but he was much too overbearing and arrogant. The blasted man hadn’t even listened to her yesterday when the Home Secretary had proposed his plan.

Hawk had no idea how much of a shadow she’d lived under for the past few years. It hadn’t been his father who’d betrayed his country. It hadn’t been his father who’d run off and left the mess behind. It hadn’t been his father who’d been dragged back ignominiously and shot in cold blood while attempting to kidnap a duchess.

No, it had been her father, and she needed to do a tiny bit to restore some honor to the Loverly name. Perhaps it didn’t mean much, considering what he’d done, but she would feel redeemed if she helped capture the traitor who had worked with her father.

“I will see you then,” Lizzie answered as she watched Hawk study her for a minute, then leave. Whatever it was he had tried to say to her, it was probably for the best she didn’t hear it. Her mind was made up, and nothing was going to dissuade her from her course.

She waited about fifteen minutes, then hurried upstairs to retrieve her bonnet, shawl, and gloves. As her foot landed on the entrance hall floor, she smiled at the butler. “Please have a carriage brought around.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Thank heaven Cam had left earlier and Hawk had taken his horse, leaving Cam’s carriage, which meant she need not hunt down a hackney.

“The Home Office, please.” The driver, dressed smartly in Campbell livery, bowed and opened the door for her. Two footmen magically appeared, taking their positions on the outside of the carriage in the back.

Lizzie folded her hands and placed them in her lap. Hawk would probably have apoplexy if he knew she had left the house without him, but she was doing the right thing. She raised her chin. She was not a child, but a woman fully grown. If she decided she wanted to do something so dear to her heart, she would do it.

Perhaps she was taking a chance, but it was a chance she had to take. He would have to accept that he could not command her.

The vehicle stopped in front of the building, and the carriage shifted as the footman left his perch and opened the door. He took down the steps and held out his hand to help her.

“I shall not be long.” He nodded, and smoothing her gown, she took a deep breath and entered the building.

“May I help you, madam?” A young man stepped up as she walked through the door.

Lizzie patted the fine sheen of sweat on her upper lip. “Yes, I am looking for the Home Secretary’s office.”

“Allow me to show you where it is.” The very polite young man pointed toward the end of the hall. She followed him, their footsteps echoing off the corridor walls until they reached a door with the words “Home Secretary” painted onto the glass part of the wooden portal. “Right here.”

“Thank you.” She smiled and licked her lips. It was at that point she realized the person who wanted her dead was probably somewhere in this building. She shuddered and hurried toward the desk where another young man sat.

“I would like to see the Home Secretary, please.”

He smiled at her. “Do you have an appointment?”