by Josie Dennis
“That was an excruciatingly long dinner, Millie,” Mr. Crowley said as he entered the chamber. “Ah, good evening Hugh.”
“Good evening, Mr. Crowley.” Hugh bowed his head and faced the countess. “Good evening, my lady.”
“Hugh,” she said with one of her sunny smiles.
She settled on the chaise not far from the dressing table as Mr. Crowley began to disrobe. In Hugh’s short time serving as valet he’d taken note that the countess didn’t stand on ceremony when it came to her third cousin. It wasn’t unheard of for her, or the earl for that matter, to enter and speak with Mr. Crowley while he was in various stages of undress. Hugh chalked it up to their being of quality. They did what they liked and the staff didn’t remark on it. Upstairs, that was. Downstairs there was much speculation of everything else that went on between Mr. Crowley and Lord and Lady Hawksfell.
“So tell me, Michael,” the countess began. “What do you think of Diane?”
Michael shrugged. “I think she’ll probably find herself a husband soon.” He nudged Hugh with his elbow and winked. “That, or find herself in trouble.”
Hugh hid his smile as he worked the buttons of his shirt free.
“Really,” Lady Hawksfell said. “She couldn’t take her eyes off of you, the little brat.”
“Now, Millie. You know my heart is secure. And all the rest of me.”
The two of them laughed and Hugh focused on stripping off Mr. Crowley’s shirt. He held his robe open and the man slipped it on.
“Maybe she’ll find a husband when the latest Hawk visits,” Mr. Crowley said.
“Is one coming?” the countess asked. “Gabriel didn’t say a word to me.”
Mr. Crowley shrugged again and tied the belt of his robe. “Nor to me. I’m assuming one will come, however. And soon. They always do.”
Lady Hawksfell shook her pretty blonde head. “And take a member or two of the staff when they leave. I’m fortunate I was able to secure a maid so quickly.”
“Thank goodness you enjoy those trips to London,” Mr. Crowley said. “Perhaps Gabriel should take on a surplus, lest we get left short-handed again.”
Hugh took care of the man’s clothes and tidied up.
“What of you, Hugh?” Mr. Crowley asked.
Hugh straightened. “Me, sir?”
“Yes. You’re as pretty as Cabot. Perhaps the next Hawk will find you to his fancy.”
Hugh’s cheeks grew hot and he held his gaze to the floor. He couldn’t form an answer to the man’s outrageous statement.
“Michael!” the countess said. “You’re embarrassing poor Hugh. What will he think of the Hawks if you carry on so?”
“I daresay he’ll think what everyone does. There’s no denying a Hawk when he wants something, Millie. You know that better than anyone.”
Hugh held his breath and risked a glance at the countess. Instead of the dark censure he might have expected from such outlandish words, she wore the warm glow of affection.
“Never mind.” She rose gracefully and faced Hugh. “I think Mr. Crowley has kept you long enough, Hugh. Consider yourself free for the evening.”
He bowed his head again. “Thank you, my lady.”
As he left he caught a glimpse of them moving closer together.
“Michael, you should be ashamed of yourself,” the countess said.
“Millie, it’s only a matter of time before you head back to town to restock the attics.”
Even Hugh found a smile at the man’s turn of phrase. He shut the door behind him and made his way to his room in the attics. The other servants shared their space, save for the earl’s valet, the lady’s maid, and the first footman. He was glad to be alone tonight.
One particular thing Mr. Crowley said echoed through his mind as he stripped himself now. Another Hawk would come and soon. The man had the right of it there. As for Hugh falling prey to a Hawk’s allure? Never. He was stronger than that now. He’d traded on his looks in London before taking this position, giving away his passion to gain some coin.
He would die before he sold himself so cheaply again.
Chapter 2
Stefan sat back in his chair, clutching a sheaf of papers in his hand.
“This is unbelievable!” He raised his eyes to the long-time housekeeper standing before him. “You…” His hand trembled as he lifted the papers toward her. “You knew about this?”
Mrs. Patton slowly nodded. “Yes, my lord. I was in no place to divulge this information.”
Stefan blew out a breath. “But the Earl of bloody Hawksfell?” He waved the letter his mother had written to the housekeeper, waxing poetic about the romance and passion on board the great ocean liner. “My mother was traveling with that bastard when the bloody Titanic sank?”
She nodded again. “Your mother much favored travel, Lord Constantine.”
“My mother much favored staying far and away from Constantine Abbey.” He bit back the old resentment. “And her son.”
Mrs. Patton’s eyes glistened. “I am sorry for that, my lord.”
He found a smile for the tidy, gray-haired woman who had cared for him like a mother when he was young. “Do not trouble yourself on the matter, Mrs. Patton. My life has been quite pleasant. And I want for nothing now.”
She offered him a wobbly smile. “I’m afraid there is more, my lord.”
“Where my mother is concerned? Why am I not surprised?”
She stared at him and time seemed to stop. Stefan stared hard at her and she nodded again. “The earl was your father.”
His breath caught and the papers slipped from his grasp. “What did you say?” he rasped, gripping the arms of his chair.
Mrs. Patton twisted her apron in her hands. “The earl was your father, Lord Constantine.”
“How the hell is that possible?”
“Well, she and the earl—”
He waved a hand with a curse. “I gathered as much. But what was the nature of their relationship, outside the bedroom?”
“She was with the late earl, my lord. On and off for many years.”
“When? H–how?” He could scarcely form the words. “Well, she was scarcely ever here so why wouldn’t she be spending her time with the bloody Earl of Hawksfell?”
Her cheeks reddened. “Yes. He would summon her and she would go.”
“Of course she would.” Stefan ran a hand over his face. “Without a thought to her—excuse me, their son. I still can’t believe it.”
“There are more papers, my lord. Legitimatizing you. She gave me the name of the solicitor safeguarding them in London.”
“Papers? Yes, yes. I am a Hawk, after all.” His head ached from trying to fathom everything the housekeeper had finally told him. “But the earl himself legitimatized me? Why wasn’t I ever made aware of this?”
“I don’t know, my lord. Your mother…she knew he had other women. And men. Maybe she thought to spare you the knowledge that your father was such a man.”
Stefan laughed without humor. “Your loyalty does you credit, Mrs. Patton. But you know I have no illusions where my mother is concerned. She was scarcely here, and when she was she was scarcely in my company. She thought to hide her affair, not shield my tender sensibilities.”
“You have the truth of it, though it pains me to say,” Mrs. Patton said with a sigh.
“So what do I do now?”
It wasn’t a question he expected answered, really. He himself truly had no idea what should come next.
Mrs. Patton made a sound of contemplation and Stefan raised his head.
“What are you thinking?” he asked her.
“It seems to me that a trip to Hawksfell Manor might be in order, Lord Constantine.”
His mouth dropped open. “The manor?”
“The present earl was been most welcoming to his Hawk relatives over the past year. Since his marriage, actually.”
“He’s married?”
She nodded. “And I’d heard that another man was recently w
elcomed by the earl. Another half brother, actually.”
“Well, isn’t that just lovely. I admit I almost pity the current earl.” He straightened. “Wait. I have another brother?”
“You do.”
He tilted his head and regarded her. “You know quite a lot about these Hawks, Mrs. Patton.”
She smiled, a sunnier expression this time. “I must look after the Hawk left in my charge all these years, mustn’t I?”
Warmth flickered within his chest. “Astounding. You know all of my proclivities and yet in an instant you can make me feel like a babe in the nursery again.”
“I cared for that babe then, my lord. And I care for the man now.”
He stood and took her hands in his. “And I’m more grateful than I can say.” He blinked the sting from his eyes and gave a firm nod. “All right, then. I shall beard the lion in his den. Or the Hawk in his roost. Now, give me the name of that solicitor.”
* * * *
Madeline almost vibrated with excitement as Michael drove her through Yorkshire. Her excellent brother not only spoke to the earl and Millie about her visiting but took it upon himself to drive her in his favorite Daimler to Hawksfell Manor!
“I’m so excited to see Millie, Michael.”
“As you should be, Maddie. And she can’t wait to see you.”
That filled her with warmth. “I so miss you both at Crowley Park. Mother has been relentless.”
Michael laughed, the sound carefree. “Throwing young men at your head, is she?”
“Too many to count, I’m afraid.” She sighed and leaned back against the fine leather upholstery. “I don’t want a one of them.”
“Not to your taste?” Michael winked at her over his shoulder. “You always were a picky little thing.”
“As was Millie, I recall,” she teased right back at him.
Michael laughed again. “And she’s been amply rewarded, believe me.”
Madeline longed to ask him just what he meant, but would he divulge the illicit possibilities that had churned through her mind over the past few days? She sincerely doubted it.
“Are you happy, Michael?” she asked at last.
He shot her confused look, then faced the road again. “Of course. Whyever would you ask such a thing?”
“It’s just…” She bit her lip, then waved a hand. “Never mind. I supposed I’m a bit nervous to arrive at Hawksfell.”
Michael nodded. “It is an imposing estate, Maddie. Huge even by Crowley Park standards.”
She nodded, fingering the braided trim on her velvet coat. “And the earl, Michael? Is he all they say?”
She would have missed the stiffening of her brother’s shoulders if she didn’t know him so well.
“What is it they say?” he asked.
“That he is severe. Commanding.”
Michael visibly relaxed a bit. “Gabriel is both, to be sure. But he is also kind and loving and the best friend I’ve ever had.”
The affection in Michael’s voice made her own throat tighten. No matter what might have happened on that summer evening months and months ago, Michael was happy with his life now.
“Ah, there is the place itself,” he said.
Madeline leaned forward and grasped the back of the front seat as she peered through the windscreen. She gaped as Michael piloted the Daimler up the long curving drive toward Hawksfell Manor. The sprawling house had an impressive edifice, with soaring walls of sandstone which led to peaked roofs of slate that glinted in the waning sunlight. What went on behind those many windows? Passion and dark pleasures? Her unschooled body trembled with possibilities she couldn’t begin to fathom.
“And the long line of Hawksfell servants await the arrival of my little sister,” Michael said, easing to a stop. He pulled the brake and turned back to her again. “Are you ready?”
She nodded even as her belly fluttered with nerves. Michael opened his door and then hers. She took a deep breath and she stepped out onto the drive, eyeing the line of black-clad servants as she did so.
The men were tall and ramrod stiff and the women neat and perfect with pert white caps on their heads. Michael smiled at them all and they looked at him with fondness and respect, which was only his due in her opinion.
“Come, Maddie,” he said, taking her hand in his. “Allow me to introduce you to some of the staff.”
She nodded as he led her toward a formidable man who could only be the butler.
“Carstairs, this is my sister. Miss Madeline Crowley.”
“Welcome to Hawksfell Manor, Miss,” the man said with a bow of his head. “I am Carstairs, the manor’s butler.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Carstairs,” Madeline said.
“And this is Mrs. Holmes,” Carstairs offered. “The housekeeper.”
Madeline met the woman’s eyes. She was tall and statuesque, and her brown hair was shot through in places with silver. Her eyes were warm, however. And her smile was very welcoming.
“Welcome to Hawksfell, Miss Crowley,” the woman said. “The staff is at your disposal.”
“Thank you.”
Madeline glanced down the row of servants to find them staring at her. It was quite disconcerting to be the subject of their attention. Then her gaze fell on the young man three places down from Mrs. Holmes.
He was in the position of first footman and he was a perfect specimen of the species. Tall and handsome, he had gold hair and piercing blue eyes. And his face was the very pinnacle of male beauty. Oh, she felt the gravel beneath her feet shift a bit. Her body heated and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
“Come inside, Maddie,” Michael said. “It’s bitter cold out here and my bits are freezing.”
She hid her smile but saw the first footman’s lips twitch. He had a sense of humor, too? And an obvious fondness for her excellent brother? Oh, this visit was going to be very interesting.
For what better prospect could there be than a handsome, well-humored footman on whom to practice her flirting?
* * * *
Hugh watched the pretty young lady as she passed by him. She smelled like roses, and the scent wrapped around him despite the frigid winter air blowing along the drive. She looked much like the countess but with her blue eyes round and her rosy mouth agape she was the picture of innocence. Yet, his body reacted in a way that was far from innocent. Saying a prayer for the cold wind, he dropped his gaze to her dainty boots as she made her way into the manor.
When Mr. Crowley and the butler and housekeeper were tucked inside, the rest of the staff began to file back through the entry.
“She’s quite lovely,” Rose, the new lady’s maid, observed.
Hugh feigned surprise at her words. “Yes, yes.”
She smiled up at him, her green eyes twinkling. “I wonder if she’ll get up to any mischief like the manor’s other visitors.”
Hugh frowned at her. “Miss Crowley is a relation of the countess, Rose. Her behavior should not be called into question.”
Rose shrugged, then tucked an auburn curl behind her ear. “I was just making conversation, Hugh.”
He gave a curt nod and she turned away.
“It’s not like you’re going out of your way to speak to me,” she murmured.
He stood there, feet rooted to the fine marble floor. Rose wanted to make conversation with him? He certainly didn’t want that. There was no telling where that would lead. He was proud of his position and would do nothing to jeopardize that. Getting tangled up in Lady Hawksfell’s new maid would be a big mistake.
Besides, she might be a fetching little thing but she was nothing compared to the beauty that was the newly-arrived Miss Crowley. And since there was no danger of that lady wanting to get tangled with him, there was no harm in looking her way.
Chapter 3
Madeline followed Michael through the entry and on to what must be the parlor. One of them, of course. The manor was one of the largest homes she’d ever seen. She caught a glimpse of a tall, dark-haired m
an by the fireplace before she was grabbed into a tight hug of sweet-smelling lilacs.
“Oh, Maddie!” Millicent lifted her off her boots and Madeline hugged her back just as fiercely.
“Oh, Millie, how I’ve missed you!” Her throat tightened. “You and Michael. I’ve missed you both so much!”
Millicent laughed gaily and set her down, keeping a hold on her upper arms. Her gaze ran over her from head to toe. “Maddie, you’ve grown a foot since I’ve seen you. And so lovely.” She turned to the man at the fireplace. “Gabriel, isn’t she lovely?”
Madeline flushed and turned toward the earl. He was so imposing and handsome, with dark eyes and hair and a cleft in his strong chin. He might have been truly overwhelming if not for the warm look of indulgence he gave her cousin.
“Yes, Millicent. Michael’s sister is as pretty as any Crowley I’ve ever met.”
Madeline felt the earl’s magnetism in that moment. It was little wonder that Millicent had fallen for him. Hard.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Lord Hawksfell blinked, then shook his dark head. “No, Madeline. We are family now. You shall call me Gabriel.”
She gaped, then nodded. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
He flashed a smile, then turned to Michael. “I trust the drive from Scarborough was pleasant?”
Michael chuckled. “Aside from Maddie peppering me with questions about you? Yes.”
Madeline gasped. “Really, Michael. I’d forgotten how much you like to tease.”
“It has been too long,” Millicent said. “Come. Let’s go ready for dinner. Maddie, you’ll be staying in the family wing.”
Madeline held a hand over her chest. “Oh, good. I fear I could easily get lost here.”
Michael wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “We can’t have that. I have but one sibling and I’m quite fond of her.”