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“If you feel comfortable enough, take dinner with me tonight.” Then she exited the room and was gone.
He sighed. There was much thinking to do.
Chapter Five
December 18, 1819
Belle frowned as she delved into one of the boxes of tin bells and glass balls she’d had the butler bring down from the attic. Yes, traditionally such things didn’t go up until Christmas Eve, but since she lived alone and there was no one to answer to—or argue with—about the decorating, she would do what pleased her.
Though she adored everything about the Christmastide season, the bulk of her thoughts revolved around the captain—or rather Hawk as she’d been instructed to refer to him. Of course, she rather preferred the name of Montague, but until they were on more intimate terms, she would continue to call him by his moniker.
As she examined ribbons and bows, she couldn’t help but grin. He had managed to steal two kisses now, the dratted man, and each time she hadn’t bid him nay. The reason therein was quite simple—she enjoyed kissing. Honestly, the five years since her husband had perished had been incredibly long and lonely, and she was a woman who had thoroughly adored the physical aspects for her marriage. Those urges and cravings hadn’t gone away merely because her husband had perished, and since the captain was easy on the eyes, why shouldn’t she indulge in a few bouts of harmless kissing?
Yet, aside from that, Hawk still hadn’t told her the truth regarding his real purpose on Ravenscroft land, and to add insult to injury, he had avoided her much of the past two days. Where he’d gone and what he filled his time with was anyone’s guess, but then, household duties and planning for the annual Christmas Eve ball had kept her busy enough that she hadn’t had the time to search him out.
But she would, for the attraction building between her and him couldn’t be ignored. It conflicted with the memories of her husband. He might not have been the best of all husbands, and there had been rocky moments in their union, but she missed him. Grief still caught her off guard when she wasn’t ready for it. Which was why she didn’t know if she could extend her heart a second time, even if she decided she wished it. Quite frankly, if Hawk lingered too long at Ravenscroft House, she might be sorely tempted.
“Good afternoon, Belle.”
She startled and nearly dropped the glass ball she held when his voice sounded behind her. Flutters scuttled through her lower belly.Dear heavens, he is so potent!When she turned about, he was there, standing before her with a grin flirting with those all-too-sensual lips. “Good afternoon, Hawk. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Can a man not seek out the drawing room for a stretch of reading?” He held up a folded copy ofThe Times. “Besides, now that I know you are also occupying this room, why would I wish to leave?”
“You can do what you want, of course, since youarea guest.” As a bout of nervous energy moved through her veins, she smoothed a hand along the front of her navy day dress. Had she known that he would make an appearance, she would have donned a better frock, but there was nothing for it now. “Did you, ah, attend to some of the chores Danvers set out?”
“I did. Two of them today, actually. Small repairs, really. One of the footmen could have attended to them.” He frowned as he settled into one of the blue brocade wing-backed chairs near the fireplace. “Hasn’t your husband’s man-of-affairs spoken with you about hiring someone for such things?”
“He has not.” Belle transferred her gaze to the box of decorations. Not even the sharp scent of pine boughs that laid in front of the fireplace could coax her back into her happy mood of before. “In fact, I haven’t heard from Mr. Sherwood for quite some time.”
“He doesn’t visit?”
“No.”
A frown tugged down the corners of Hawk’s mouth. “Who does he write to regarding the care and upkeep of Ravenscroft House?”
She shrugged. “I would imagine Laurence’s brother, Philip. He is the legal heir to the viscounty and all the holdings therein.”
“Your husband didn’t set aside an inheritance for you?”
“He did, of course. There is a lovely yearly income allowance, and Brambleberry Cottage is mine for the length of my life.” She slid a red satin ribbon through her fingers. “I had hoped he would have gifted me the property in Brighton, for it is a favorite spot of mine, but he did not. I suppose he’d forgotten that detail.”
Which wouldn’t have surprised her. Rarely had Laurence paid much attention to what she liked or didn’t. His mind was always firmly on hunting or other pursuits he’d adored, as well as the physical side of their relationship. But she’d always hoped there would have been something… more that bound them together.
“I see.” For long moments, he held her gaze. “While I am sorry for your loss, it annoys me that your husband hadn’t seen fit to recall the little details about you that make you interesting.”
Unexpected heat went into her cheeks. “It didn’t occur to him, but that didn’t make him a bad person or a negligent husband.”
Hawk grunted. “I’ll keep my own counsel on that.” When a streak of gray darted across the Aubusson rug, he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Hello, Mathieu.” He patted his knee and the cat jumped lightly up onto it, much to Belle’s shock. “I haven’t seen you since breakfast, old chap.”
Even from her position, the low ebb of the feline’s purr reached her ears. “How did you manage to charm him? He doesn’t usually take to strangers.” A tiny spear of jealousy went through her chest from the defection.
“What’s to charm?” Hawk scratched the cat beneath his chin, much to the cat’s pleasure. “We are kindred spirits. I’ve always had an affinity for every sort of animal.”
“Mathieu is certainly not a rogue.”
Her companion snorted. “I hate to tell you, but every male animal has a bit of a rogue inside him.”
“Not my cat. Well, at least I’d hoped not.” Her frown deepened. “He used to be quite loyal.” She looked at the sleek feline. “Until you turned traitor and decided to preferhim.”
