A gentleman should never leave a proper lady questioning what his intentions are.
A PROPER GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO WOOING THE PERFECT LADY
SIR VINCENT TYBALT VALENTINE
Hawk splashed cold water on his face and winced at the chill it gave him. He picked up the small towel and dried his face as he shoved back the drapery panel and looked out the window. It was still snowing when he’d gone to bed last night. Surprisingly, this morning the gray storm clouds of yesterday were gone, and bright sun glistened across the white, barren landscape.
That was a rare sight this time of year.
He quickly donned his trousers and boots, and then combed his fingers through his hair. Rubbing his hand across the day-old growth of beard on his cheeks and chin, he looked into the small mirror on the chest. There was nothing he could do about his stubble. The housekeeper hadn’t offered him a razor and soap.
It hadn’t taken long for his thoughts to turn to Miss Quick once he’d awakened. That she was lovely, engaging, and innocent was a powerful draw for him. He glanced back at the bed. He hadn’t wanted to spend the night alone. Neither of them had tried to deny the attraction that had formed between them almost at first sight. He had little doubt that if he’d continued his seduction of her she would have willingly come to him, but he’d had to give her the opportunity to think about the consequences.
His honor demanded it.
And her honor prevailed.
Hawk pulled his shirt over his head and hurriedly stuffed it into his trousers. Next he grabbed his waistcoat and buttoned it before reaching for his wrinkled and limp neckcloth. How could he not think about Miss Quick after the way his body had responded to her? Not to mention the array of different emotions she’d caused him to experience over the course of his few hours with her. Especially since it’d never crossed his mind he might meet Quick’s sister when he’d headed to Mammoth house yesterday morn.
First she’d irritated the hell out of him, when she as good as demanded he tell her what he wanted with her brother, and then had the nerve to take him to task for it when he did. She compounded his ire by suggesting his sister was selfish. He still couldn’t believe she wouldn’t want a very lucrative betrothal for her brother.
She’d made him laugh at her cleverness when she’d said the secret admirer letter had been read around the world, and she’d enchanted him with her honest, thoughtful conversation about her past. Hawk had felt admiration for her when she’d stood watch on the portico and insisted she help undress the boy. He’d bet anyone a handful of coins no other lady would have touched those cold muddy boots. Most, if not all, of the ladies he knew would have either fainted or rushed from the room in tears at the pitiful condition of the lad. That included all the mistresses he’d known over the years, too.
Not Miss Quick.
She rallied against his attempts to shield her from the uglier realities of life. That the boy’s stockings were soiled and wet, and his laces knotted several times had been no deterrent to her soft hands or delicate sensibilities. She had immediately gone to work to remove them. And then …
Hawk smiled as the sensual feelings of desire he had for her came to mind and washed over him like summer’s first breeze. She’d tempted him sorely to forgo his honor, his vow to never take a young lady’s innocence when he’d held her in his arms, kissed her, and explored her shape. She had him experiencing a depth of passion he hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever. He’d wanted nothing more than to take her to his bedchamber and make her his.
The hell of it was that his passion for her hadn’t ebbed with the light of day. If the throb in his lower body at this moment was any indication, it had increased. But now was not the time to linger over thoughts of his desire for the lovely miss. His long, cold ride back to Grimsfield would be the perfect time to do that.
Grabbing his coat, Hawk pushed the tempting remembrances from his mind and headed out the door. The first thing he wanted to do was check on the boy. He’d told Mrs. Huddleston to come for him if things didn’t go well during the night. He hadn’t heard from the woman and hoped that meant the lad had made it through with no ill effects. If so, Hawk intended to have a word or two with him about his foul language before leaving Mammoth House. He was certain Miss Quick wasn’t used to a street urchin’s guttersnipe tongue.
Hawk made his way down the stairs then along the long corridor past the drawing room, dining room, and kitchen, around the corner, and into the small room where they’d laid the youngster last night. Miss Quick sat on the edge of the bed with her back to the door. She rose and turned toward him when he entered the room. He hadn’t expected to find her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Because of him?
The lad?
She wore a plain dress of light-blue wool banded with a satin sash at the high waist. A dark-green shawl fitted loosely across her slim shoulders. Her hair was unadorned and in a tidy chignon at the back of her head. He was struck once again by how beautiful she was even when wearing the simplest of clothing.
Hawk knew at once she was troubled. Concern etched the corners of her mouth and around her eyes. But for which reason? Was it for the condition of the boy who’d stolen his way into her life, or for the way she’d responded to their stolen kisses last night?
Their gazes held for a brief moment before she said, “Good morning, Your Grace.”
“Miss Quick,” he answered, stopping beside her and the pale-faced, sleeping child. He lay as still as a windless day, covered in blankets up to his chin. It didn’t appear there was any change in his condition, but still Hawk asked, “How is he this morning?”
“He developed a fever during the night,” she said, looking down at the poor lad.
Hawk blew out a short breath of concern. That wasn’t good and it wasn’t a surprise. He’d known last night that the youngster was ill.
“Any coughing?” he asked.
“No.”
“That’s a hopeful sign.”
“Mrs. Huddleston is making a poultice right now for his chest that she thinks will help keep his lungs clear. She’s preparing him something for the fever, too.”
Hawk didn’t like seeing the worry in her eyes. It made him want to take her in his arms and soothe her. Smooth the wrinkle from her troubled brow. He didn’t want the boy to be sick, but it was good to know her concern wasn’t because she regretted what had happened between them last night.
He asked, “Was she able to get him to take nourishment?”
“A few sips of broth from a spoon throughout the night,” Miss Quick answered, rubbing her hands together as if they were cold. “Mrs. Huddleston said it wasn’t easy, and she was sure it wasn’t nearly enough. We’ll continue throughout the day.”
Doubts that the lad would make it crossed Hawk’s mind. They had no way of knowing how long he’d been out in the freezing cold or how long since he’d had a proper meal. The only thing Hawk knew to do was to get him help before it was too late.
“He was ill when he came to your door. You know that, don’t you?”
She glanced up at Hawk with anxious eyes. “It did appear he wasn’t well, but I had hoped that wasn’t the case.”
“Content yourself with the fact you are doing all you can for him now. He’s in a warm, soft bed. Safe. You will do all you can for him, so try not to worry about what will become of him in the days ahead.”
She gave Hawk a twitch of a smile and wrapped her green woolen shawl tighter around her shoulders. “That’s difficult to do since he is now under my roof and, thereby, under my care.”
“I know he won’t lack proper attention.” And he hoped she wouldn’t blame herself if the lad didn’t make it.
Her gaze swept up and down his face as if she were searching for something. “What about you? I hope you aren’t feeling any ill effects from being out in the storm last night.”
Hawk’s chest tightened for a second. He liked the fact that she asked after his welfare. “I’m fine. You?”
“Yes, of course. I wasn’t out in the cold for very long, and I didn’t get wet.”
His brows drew together. “Are you sure about that? I seem to remember ice crystals in your hair and a dampness to your sleeves.”
“All right, not very wet,” she amended almost reluctantly. “And I trust your sleep was sound.”
Oh, hell, he thought selfishly. Did she have to remind him of sleeping, which reminded him of the bed, which reminded him that he’d wanted her there with him last night?
“I slept well,” he answered.
“Good. Mrs. Huddleston has tea, chocolate, and coffee set up in the breakfast room. Whichever you prefer. Toast, preserves, eggs, and cheese as well, if you’d like.”
“I want to check on the mare first.”
She nodded slightly. “Since the storm has passed, I expect Mr. Huddleston to arrive soon. I’m sure they were worried about us with the weather so grave, and no doubt he and Arnold were up and on their way at first light.”
“I’ll plan to leave for Grimsfield as soon as Mr. Huddleston arrives, so I may not see you again. When I get to the village, I’ll send an apothecary, or physician, or whoever I can find to check on him.” Hawk inclined his head toward the lad.
Hope flared in her eyes. “Thank you. That would be so kind of you. I wouldn’t have asked it of you, but I’m glad you offered. I believe he does need more than we have here to provide.”
“I knew you’d probably turn Mr. Huddleston around and send him back for one.”
“I’m not sure I find it comforting that you know me so well after such a short time in my presence, but yes, I would have immediately sent him to fetch someone.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
She nodded. “There is an apothecary there. I believe he will come if you ask him. Our medicinal supplies are meager here, and Mrs. Huddleston can only do so much.”
“I’ll see that your horse is returned today and I’ll make arrangements for the mare to be returned to the innkeeper once she’s sound, but that may take longer.”
“There will be no hurry. Arnold will enjoy taking care of the horse until it can be returned.”
“You’ll tell your brother that I came to see him?”
A soft, short laugh parted her beautiful lips just enough to make him wish that he were kissing her again.
“Without delay, Your Grace. You may count on that. And the reason for your visit.”
He saw that unbendable determination in her expression and humor in her eyes. Both traits drew him. She wouldn’t waver from what she saw as her duty to counsel her brother on the ills of arranged marriages. That didn’t bother Hawk. It satisfied him. He liked a good fight. And he always expected to win.
“I never considered that you wouldn’t tell him,” Hawk assured her. “Add that I’ll be back next Thursday.” He paused. “I’ll expect him to be here waiting. And that you and he will keep everything about this visit and this proposal quiet and between only yourselves.”
She lifted her shoulders just enough to make her appear defiant. “The last thing I want is for anyone, least of all Paxton’s friends, to know of this proposition. They would be encouraging him to accept the offer posthaste. The lot of them would be thrilled to have a friend who was married to a duke’s sister, hoping that it would in some way benefit them, if only to give them something to crow about. It is my hope that no one other than the three of us ever hears about this, Your Grace.”
Hawk chuckled. When she was opposed to something, he wasn’t sure anything could daunt her spirit.
“I would hope your brother will listen to all you have to say but that in the end, he will make up his own mind about what will be best for him and not let you decide for him.”
She moistened her lips and swallowed. “Certainly. He will. He is his own man. However, there’s really no need for you to return to Mammoth House. I’m sure Paxton won’t mind traveling to London to see you. He seldom stays here for long stretches anyway.”
A grin lifted one corner of Hawk’s mouth. “If I didn’t know better, Miss Quick, I would think that you don’t want to see me again.”
She moved farther away from the bed and pulled her shawl tighter again. “I’m only trying to keep you from making the long and unnecessary journey back here.”
“No.” He walked over to stand close to her again. “You are trying to keep me from coming back to see you.”
He liked that she didn’t cower from his nearness but looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I do think that would be best.”
Her honesty gave Hawk another moment of conscience. Was she really the reason he wanted to return? Admittedly he was more than a little infatuated with her. And yes, he wanted to see her again, but to what end other than he desired her? He didn’t know. And wanting to find the answer to that was going to bring him back.
“I’ll want to check in and see how he’s doing.” Hawk quirked his head toward the boy again. “With the excellent care he is going to receive from you and Mrs. Huddleston, I expect he’ll be ready to travel by the time I return. I’ll see to it that he gets back to Grimsfield, or London, or wherever it is he came from.”
“What if he doesn’t want to go back where he came from?” Her expression turned worried once again. “I mean, whoever he was with didn’t take proper care of him. He could have been with someone who mistreated him. Perhaps he ran away to save himself and that is why he’s on his own.”
She wasn’t going to be easily placated concerning the boy, and Hawk knew that if it was already too late to save him, Miss Quick wouldn’t take the news well.
“Then I’ll take him wherever he wants to go.”
That seemed to satisfy her a little better. Her shoulders relaxed and her breathing settled to a calm rhythm. Hawk should have left his words at that, but he seldom knew when to leave well enough alone.
Without much forethought, he bent his head closer to hers and added, “Besides, Miss Quick, I think you want to see me again.”
She stiffened. “I believe you might be speaking for yourself and how you feel, Your Grace, but you are not speaking for me.”
“I am speaking for both of us and, whether you will admit it or not, you know I speak the truth. We have a battle going on, you and I. And it won’t surprise you to know that I never walk away from a fight. I don’t think you do, either.”
“Not if I believe it’s winnable, and I believe this one is.”
“So do I.”
“You know I will counsel my brother against contemplating any kind of betrothal arrangement with you concerning your sister.”
He nodded once. “I know, but that’s not the battle I was talking about just now.”
Her forehead furrowed and her eyes searched his face again. Her breathing became more labored. “What other battle could you possibly be referring to?”
Hawk knew she had no idea what he was talking about, because he’d had no inclination of it himself until that moment. But now he knew it as clearly as he knew his own name.
A second or two passed before he answered, “The battle for you, Miss Quick.”