Captivating the Earl Read online

  “Good night, my dear. I will join you in a bit.”

  Once Leah had left the room, Wycliff said, “Brandy?”

  “Yes.” Hawk stared at the cold fireplace. The splash of liquor poured into glasses, and Wycliff padding across the room to hand him his glass, soothed him, reminded him of happy times spent here as a youth.

  His host settled into the dark leather chair across from him, swirling the brown liquid in his glass. “What is troubling you?”

  Hawk almost choked on the sip of brandy. “What?”

  “I have asked you for more than two years to visit us here. While I am thrilled to have you, I sense something is not up to snuff.”

  “I merely thought a few weeks away from London would be a good thing. Sometimes the Season can be a bit arduous.”

  “For a young, titled, wealthy man-about-town? Very difficult having all the ladies falling at your feet, eh?”

  “Hardly falling at my feet.” A bit of a lie there, since at his mother’s house party, Lady Spencer had purposely tripped in front of him to garner his attention. Never one to disappoint a lady, he had arranged to visit her bedchamber that evening since Lord Spencer had opted to stay in Town. Most likely in the bed of his current mistress.

  It had not been the best of decisions, based on the screaming fit she’d subjected him to a month later when he’d told her he wished to end their liaison. Within days he had decided to visit Wycliff.

  “You know, right before I met Leah, I had decided to offer for a lovely young lady whose parents, as well as mine, were very much in favor of a match between us. When I saw my wife for the first time across a ballroom, all thoughts of the other woman vanished.

  “I realized later—after we were happily married—that my decision about that young lady had been made because I was so very tired of my mother pushing me toward the ‘perfect’ bride.”

  “What is it you are trying to tell me, Cousin?”

  Wycliff swirled the brandy in his glass, studying the movement intently. “I’m not quite sure, actually. Only that I see myself in you when I had spotted Leah across that ballroom.” He shook his head, then took a sip of the liquor and continued. “Maybe I’ve misread you, but I never thought you wanted the typical ton marriage. If that’s true, then don’t return to London and just grab the closest woman in the hope she will fix whatever it is that’s broken inside you.”

  Hawk snorted. “There isn’t anything broken inside me.”

  “No?” Wycliff laid his glass on the table in front of him and stood. “I will wish you a good night. I believe my wife awaits me.”

  Once Wycliff left the room, Hawk continued to sit and stare at his empty glass, his legs stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles, his head tucked into his chest.

  There isn’t anything broken inside me.

  Chapter Four

  Lizzie oftentimes considered how lucky she was. She could not have asked for better employers. Having seen the way some companions and governesses were treated, Lord and Lady Wycliff had been a godsend.

  They gave her sufficient time off, the children were a handful, but adorable, and Lizzie was allowed privileges of which she imagined most governesses could only dream.

  One of her favorite things was to ride first thing in the morning. Nurse took care of feeding the children breakfast and washing and dressing them. So Lizzie was free to make use of Lord Wycliff’s stables and enjoy an early morning ride.

  This morning she needed to race across the grounds, lose herself in the wind, inhale the deep smells of grass, trees, and summer air. She strode from the house to the stable, anticipating seeing Magpie, her favorite mare. Lizzie even had an apple in her pocket for the horse.

  Perhaps the ride would clear her mind of the confusing emotions from the night before. She had no idea what had happened when she had played the pianoforte for Lord and Lady Wycliff, something she had done numerous times. Was it the presence of Lord Hawkins that had rattled her so?

  Certainly, the news that her father had been killed had been a shock, but not an unexpected one. When she’d left London two years before, he had already been in America for some months. Rumors of him being charged with treason had surfaced during her Season, and she had been whispered about behind fans and, in some cases, given the cut direct.

  It had not been until he had failed to return home one evening, and every evening after that, that she realized the danger she herself was in. She’d even been visited by men from the Home Office who’d believed she had information on where her father had gone. They’d even insinuated that she had been part of her father’s betrayal.

  Despite having no money or other resources, Lizzie had decided to escape London. She’d turned to a close, very discreet older friend, who had found the position with the Wycliffs and given her a written reference.

  She would be forever indebted to Lady Franklin.

  As she smoothed the currycomb over Magpie’s coat and then tacked her up, she considered the night before, and how Lord Hawkins had affected her. Although not a diamond-of-the-first-water, she’d had a few men show her interest during her Season. She was used to a man’s attention, flirting, and banter.

  But Lord Hawkins did something to her insides she had never experienced before. He was serious, almost moody, which was not how she’d found him in their very brief—albeit unremembered by him—association in London two years ago. Then, he had been charming, witty, a true man-about-town.

  Last night, each time she’d glanced at him during dinner, she’d caught him staring at her as if she were a bug under a microscope. She doubted it was because he thought he recognized her. It had been very strange. That and his casual comment about Father being killed had set her nerves on edge, and she’d poured her heart and soul into her playing, as she hadn’t done in a long time. Then she’d hurried out before the tears began to fall.

  Once in the safety of her bedchamber the tears had let loose, and she’d sobbed, remembering the father who had loved her, cared for her, and had even sacrificed his honor for her. Now all she had left were her warm memories, and the hatred cast upon her by her peers.

  She pushed all that aside and prepared for a lovely early morning ride that would restore her.

  “Well, it appears I won’t have to take my ride alone.” Lord Hawkins’s deep voice startled her out of her reverie. She turned quickly, almost losing her footing. He grabbed her arm to keep her from stumbling.

  “I’m sorry if I frightened you, Miss Moore.” He released her arm and grinned at her. “Most young ladies rarely see the sun up.”

  “You forget, my lord, I am an employee. I have duties to perform and do not have the luxury of lying abed.” A flush rose to her face at her pert answer and mentioning bed to a young gentleman. A rake, no less.

  If he saw anything untoward at her comment, it didn’t show. “You are correct, of course, Miss Moore. I must admit I find it hard to think of you as an employee.”

  Her chin rose. “And why is that?” Oh dear, had he remembered her? If he had, she would have to give up her very pleasant employment and escape.

  “Perhaps it is merely difficult for me to see a beautiful young woman forced to make her own way in the world.”

  She grasped the reins of the deep chestnut mare and turned to him. “Not all women are born into a world of luxury, my lord. I am quite content with my life. I enjoy working with the children, and Lord Wycliff is a most generous employer. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and do not answer to any man, other than my employer. A woman in my situation could do much worse, I assure you.”

  “Yes, I am sure you could.” Lord Hawkins moved past her to accept the reins of a black stallion, who pranced and tossed its head, eager for a run. Lord Hawkins ran his gloved hand down the animal’s nose and spoke gently to the beast, who immediately calmed.

  Pulling her attention away from his lordship, she was lifted as the stable groom helped her onto Magpie. Lizzie spread her skirts over her legs, hating again the awkward position a lady’s sidesaddle forced her to endure. “You’ve ridden him before.”

  Hawkins looked up at her from where he continued to smooth his gloved hand over the horse’s nose. “Yes, but it has been a long time since Bramble and I had a good run together.”

  “He’s a beautiful animal.”

  “Indeed.” Hawk grasped the pommel and swung his leg over the mount, settling into the saddle. He leaned forward. “Shall we?”

  Lizzie turned Magpie, and they trotted from the stable toward the path she generally followed, Hawk alongside her.

  The air was cool and early-morning fresh. Soon the warm weather would come to an end, and mornings would turn cold and crisp, but autumn was Lizzie’s favorite time of the year.

  They rode in companionable silence for a while, for which Lizzie was grateful. She loved this time of day, when there were no little voices asking questions or struggling with lessons. Oftentimes she would study her charges with an ache—she’d always wanted children of her own.

  That would never happen now. She was in hiding, and she doubted she could ever return to her previous life. Not that she wished to. Since her father’s disgrace, she had forsworn all things ton.

  No longer did she wish to face the gossipmongers—elderly matrons waiting for one misstep to declare a young girl ruined. Mostly, she despised how attempting to maintain their standard of living had destroyed her father, and ultimately, her. No, she wanted no part of London Society, and if that meant she would never have a husband, children, and a home of her own, then so be it.

  “You’re quite pensive this morning.” Lord Hawkins’s deep voice broke into her thoughts, reminding her she had company on this ride, and it was rude to ignore him.

  “I am sorry, my lord, I’m afraid I was woolgathering.”

  “Can’t you please let off with the ‘my lord’ and refer to me as Hawk?” He raised his hand as she began to speak. “I know you believe it is not proper, but when we are alone together, perhaps you will acquiesce?”

  She was not happy to consider his request, still concerned he might discover her true identity if they became too friendly. On the other hand, she did not want to give him reason to check further into her background, either. “I doubt we will have many occasions to be alone together. But if you wish it, then I will call you Hawk.”

  “Excellent.” Her stomach jumped at his brilliant smile, even white teeth, and the small wrinkles alongside his mouth and eyes. She did not want to be affected by the man, and every minute she was in his company, she grew more and more concerned about being recognized.

  “Are you up for a race?” Perhaps if she kept him from talking and spent more time flying over the ground, he would not focus so much on her. He watched her like he was trying to figure out a puzzle.

  “As you wish.” He dipped his head. “As long as you feel secure enough in your saddle to race.”

  Lizzie laughed and waved her arm. “I race all the time. I agree, this does put me in an awkward position, but I’ve learned to deal with it.” She turned and placed her hand above her eyes to block the sun. “How about that hedge a bit more than half a mile away?”

  Hawk looked in the direction she gestured toward. “The hedge it is, then. The first one over it is declared the winner.”

  “Go!” Without giving him a second to think it over, she smacked Magpie’s hindquarter with her crop and took off.

  Barely a few seconds after she began her sprint, Hawk was right beside her, leaning over his horse and urging him on. Lizzie smacked Magpie once more. “Come on girl, we can’t let the boys win.”

  The hedge grew closer, and Lizzie lost her hat, and her thick hair came loose from its chignon. But nothing stopped her. She was happy for the first time in days. The jump was barely twenty feet in front of her, and she was ready. With easy grace, she and Magpie flew over the hedge, landing smoothly on the other side, right after Hawk.

  “Winner!” Hawk threw his fist up in the air as they rode side by side. They slowed their horses down to a trot, then a walk.

  He pointed to a pond on the other side of a field of summer wildflowers. “I suggest we rest the horses there and let them take a well-earned drink.”

  Lizzie nodded and turned Magpie to follow Hawk.

  Before she could even think, Hawk had dismounted, had his hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the horse as if she weighed no more than a child. She stared at him as he slowly lowered her to the ground.

  His chocolate brown eyes bore into her, making her feel as though he could see right into her soul. Could he see more than she presented? Could he detect that she was not who she pretended to be?

  Before he began to question her, she stepped back, and thankfully he dropped his hands since Magpie stood behind her, and Lizzie would not have been able to escape. “Thank you.”

  Hawk nodded and grabbed the reins of both horses to lead them to the water’s edge, allowing her time to compose herself. She took a deep breath and moved to a large tree about ten feet from the pond. Disregarding the possibility of grass stains on her skirts, she settled under the tree, tucked her legs under her bottom, and watched Hawk.

  He murmured softly into the horses’ ears and gave each of them a pat as they bent their heads to drink. Hawk turned and offered her a smile as he spotted her resting comfortably.

  He walked toward her, his gait one of a predator on the prowl. Her insides twisted, and she wished with all her heart that she hadn’t agreed to let him ride with her.

  Chapter Five

  Hawk stretched out on his side alongside Miss Moore, his head propped up on his hand. He reached for a blade of grass and stuck it between his teeth. She was certainly a lovely woman, but as she was an employee of his cousin, he should not even be thinking about that. It was bad enough when women were unprotected in the world and needed to make their own way without having a houseguest annoy them with unwanted attentions. Not that Miss Moore had objected to his company—yet.

  “Tell me how you came to be a governess, Miss Moore. I believe your father was a vicar?”

  He did not imagine the stiffening of her shoulders, and the wariness in her eyes. “Yes, he was a vicar.”

  “Ah, so he is deceased?”

  “Yes.”

  He pulled the grass from his mouth and dropped it. “You’ve no family, then?”

  She picked at her skirts and avoided his eyes. “No family. My father was my only relative.”

  Interesting that Miss Moore did not wish to speak about herself. And whatever reasons she was on her own in the world were no concern of his. Or should not be, anyway. Except he could not leave it alone. “Somehow, I can imagine you in a ball gown, waltzing with a dashing gentleman.”

  Her smile was forced. “That will never be, my lord. I am a governess. A vicar’s daughter.”

  “Yes. So you say.” He reached up and brushed a curl from her soft cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “I thought young girls of all stations dreamed of dancing at a ball. Is that not where fairy tales come from?”

  “You are correct, my lord. A fairy tale. Make-believe.” She drew small circles in the grass with one delicate finger.

  Knowing he was tempting a lecture from his valet, Hawk flipped over onto his back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why is it a beautiful woman such as you has not married?” He shifted his head so he could see her face.

  She drew back, her face flushed. “My lord! I don’t think that is a proper question to ask an employee.”

  Hawk shrugged. “Frankly, I rarely speak with employees, so I am at a loss as to what is, and is not, proper.”

  Quick as a small animal attempting to escape a predator, Miss Moore stood in one fluid motion and shook out her skirts. “I must return. It is time for my duties.”

  Hawk joined her, and they returned to the horses. He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the saddle. Miss Moore stared down at him, her cheeks still flushed. He slowly and reluctantly removed his hands, feeling the loss of her warmth. She took in a deep breath. Had she felt something as well?

  He broke eye contact with her and mounted Bramble. They rode side by side back to the estate. Neither spoke, but the silence was not as comfortable as it had been earlier. Aside from the fact that he was finding a governess much too appealing, he was also stuck with the niggling thought at the back of his mind that he knew her from somewhere.

  He’d never had occasion to hobnob with vicars’ daughters. “Is this your first governess position, Miss Moore?”

  Startled, no doubt at him breaking the silence, she answered. “Yes.”

  Another one-word answer. The woman did not intend to be forthcoming, and his pressing her could soon give her cause to speak with Wycliff. It was best to put her from his mind and enjoy the visit with his cousin, away from London, and all he had been anxious to leave behind.

  Once back at the house he determined to do just that. He wished Miss Moore a lovely day and went to his bedchamber. After changing from his riding clothes and cleaning up, Hawk descended to the breakfast room, where he found Wycliff enjoying his newspaper and a cup of coffee. “Ah, good morning, Hawk. ‘Tis nice to have company at breakfast.”

  “Leah does not venture down to break her fast?” Hawk strolled to the sideboard, where he filled his plate with creamed herring, two rolls, eggs, ham, and bacon.

  “No. I’m afraid my lovely wife is not an early bird. She enjoys her mornings in bed with her cup of chocolate.”

  Hawk shook out his serviette and placed it on his lap, nodding to the footman, who poured his coffee. “I enjoyed my early ride this morning. I met Miss Moore also taking the air.”

  “Yes. She does appreciate the use of our stables.”

  Hawk cut a piece of ham. “I find her a bit of a conundrum.”

  Wycliff raised his brows. “How so?”

  “She certainly sits a horse well, her pianoforte playing is above par, and I have this feeling I know her from somewhere.” Hawk shook his head. “True, I have never had occasion to spend time with a governess, but something about her implies she is well above that station in life.”