Daniel's Duty [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 10] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Josie Dennis

  “They’re both so beautiful,” Peter whispered as they filed in behind the guests and the other servants.

  Vincent shook his head at him. “Hush, Peter.”

  The other footman shrugged. “Ain’t no harm in noticing, Vincent.”

  Vincent knew full well there was danger in noticing. He glanced toward the wide, strong back of this newest Hawk. There was a magnetism to him, as there was with any and all of them. As for the pretty miss? She was warm and sweet, like one of Mrs. Padmont’s iced biscuits. Both were indeed attractive in their different ways. He would just have to be certain to never allow himself to get too close to either one of them.

  “Vincent,” Mr. Carstairs said to him in the front hall after the other servants had gone about their duties.

  “Yes, Mr. Carstairs.”

  “Lord Winthrop didn’t bring his man with him. You will need to serve as valet during his stay.”

  Vincent took a slow breath in. So much for his determination to stay away from the man. “Of course, Mr. Carstairs.”

  The butler nodded and took himself out of the hall, leaving Vincent to gather his courage. He would need it in order to help the handsome Hawk in and out of his dress for the length of his visit, however long that might prove to be. At the very least, he could stay away from the young miss accompanying him without much trouble.

  “Excuse me. Vincent, is it?”

  He nearly winced as the soft voice reached him. Damn, he could smell her flowery scent.

  “Yes, miss?”

  “Mrs. Holmes told me you’re the first footman?”

  Vincent inclined his head. “I am.”

  She smiled again. He saw that she must have given her cloak to one of the other footman. He could see that she’d been hiding a fine figure beneath it. That was certain.

  “I wondered if you could show me where I’ll be staying.”

  “Didn’t Mrs. Holmes instruct a maid to do so, miss?”

  She waved a hand, a sparkle in the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. “Yes, yes. Something about a blue room.”

  That didn’t surprise him. It was a room set apart from the family’s rooms, yet not completely in the bachelors’ wing.

  “Let me call a maid for you, miss.”

  She dimpled up at him. “Call me Daisy.”

  He just gave a quick shake of his head. “I’ll see to your things myself and have a maid show you to your room.”

  “Oh, pooh. All right, Vincent.”

  With a wave of his hand, he summoned the nearest maid and sent her up the grand staircase with the beguiling female. Her portmanteaux weren’t overly taxing, and he lifted them and started up the stairs.

  “Handling the miss’s things?” Peter asked as he breezed past.

  “Part of the position, Peter,” Vincent said.

  Peter snorted and left before the full impact of Vincent’s scowl could scorch him. By the time Vincent reached the blue room, the maid was gone. The miss sat on the little chair before the vanity, her ankles crossed as she regarded him with one fair brow arched.

  “Your things, miss.” He placed her two suitcases near the large armoire and then bowed to her. “Enjoy your stay at Hawksfell Manor.”

  He turned to go.

  “Vincent, wait.”

  Facing her once again, he kept his expression even. “Yes?”

  “You’re to serve Daniel during his stay? Lord Winthrop, that is.”

  “Yes.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip and he studied the plump, pink flesh she worried. Licking his own lips, he brought his gaze to hers.

  She came to her feet. “Would you show me which room he’ll occupy during his stay?”

  His mouth dropped open. “That isn’t my place, miss.”

  “Daisy,” she insisted. “Call me Daisy, please.”

  He gave her a small smile. “That also isn’t my place.”

  She sighed. “Then go. If you must. I wouldn’t want to be the one to cause you any trouble.”

  He bowed again. “No trouble at all, miss.”

  At last he left her guest room, bound for his room in the attics. His fertile mind could easily imagine what the miss wanted with the location of Lord Winthrop’s room. He doubted the young lady was already the man’s lover, though. Even with as little contact as he’d had with Lord Winthrop, he couldn’t imagine he would bring shame on his ward in such a public manner. As for the lady, however? It was clear she pined after the gentleman. He stifled the urge to tell her the truth of it.

  No matter the outcome of her pursuit, only heartache could follow.

  “Lord save us all,” Vincent said to himself as he took himself up to the attics to ready for tea service.

  As he stripped, he thought about the gorgeous young woman and the new, sun-kissed Hawk. His body stirred and he tamped down the arousal that threatened.

  Once dressed again, he felt more in control. There was one thing he couldn’t deny, however. The fleeting thought of the two of them together was enough to set him on fire.

  * * * *

  Daniel sat in a very comfortable chair across from the Earl of Hawksfell. The man looked very much like the image in Daniel’s mirror each morning, save for the hair. The earl’s was black as night.

  “I’m glad you accepted my invitation, Lord Winthrop.”

  “And I thank you for having me. I admit I was surprised to receive your summons, as it were.”

  The earl flashed a small smile, but Daniel felt himself warm toward his relative. “Summons? I suppose it is that.”

  “I appreciate your welcoming my ward.”

  “Ah yes, the young lady. She’s your ward?”

  Daniel nodded. “Yes. For ten years now. She’s the daughter of my mother’s cousin, and since my father has never been a part of our household, the duty fell to me.”

  The earl’s dark brows arched. “You must have been quite young yourself.”

  “Seventeen. But Daisy is a good sort.”

  “And quite pretty, if the servants are to be believed.”

  “They carry tales, do they?”

  “Don’t they all?”

  He thought for a moment. Indeed, they did. Hadn’t Daisy told him as much? She’d said she’d overheard them discussing his size, for God’s sake.

  “I suppose,” was all he’d admit.

  “And I believe they admire you as well.”

  Daniel felt his cheeks heat a bit. “I don’t know about that.”

  The earl chuckled. “You’re a Hawk, Daniel. You know of our appeal.” He sobered a bit. “And our curse.”

  “Yes.” The word hung in the air. “I’ve heard of your marriage. I couldn’t be more astonished that such a thing could happen.”

  Now the man’s smile was wide. “If you and I had met a year ago, I would have been inclined to agree with you.”

  “And yet you are married, Lord Hawksfell.”

  “Gabriel, please.”

  Daniel inclined his head. “Then you must call me Daniel.”

  “Daniel.” The earl leaned back in his chair. “Just a year ago I was as caught in the Hawk curse, and its darkness, as I suspect you are now.”

  “Are you saying you’re happily married?”

  “When you meet my wife at tea, you’ll quickly see why. She, and her third cousin Michael, changed my life when they washed up on my doorstep last spring. My curse, for all intents and purposes, is appeased.”

  Daniel puzzled over that for a moment. Could that really be possible? What was this about Lady Hawksfell’s cousin? “I don’t understand.”

  Gabriel waved a hand. “Never mind. I assure you that happiness in marriage is possible, Daniel. Even for a Hawk.”

  “I’ve heard rumors of other Hawks settling down. Frankly, it must be a story concocted to counter the long-lived tales of our family.”

  “Think that if you must.” Gabriel stood and Daniel did likewise. “You’ll meet my brother Matthew this evening at dinner. He and his wife live in the Dower house on th
e estate.”

  “And more Hawks have truly married?”

  Gabriel nodded. “Indeed.”

  Daniel was flummoxed. Hawks might truly be wed, but it didn’t necessarily follow that they were happy in those unions. Or faithful.

  “I thank you again for your hospitality, Gabriel. I shall see you at tea.”

  The earl smiled again and Daniel left, bound for his room set in what the housekeeper had called the bachelors’ wing. As he made his way toward the grand staircase, he caught a glimpse of two maids watching him from the hallway. There was nothing disrespectful in their air, but after what Daisy had said of the Winthrop Hall servants, he wondered just how much they knew of the earl and countess’s marriage, and their relationship with the countess’s third cousin, Michael.

  “You, there,” he said to them.

  They straightened, and then ran their hands over their crisp white aprons. “Yes, my lord?” they said in unison.

  “Where, pray, is the bachelors’ wing?”

  They both blinked at him, then the one on the left stepped forward. “I’ll be happy to show you, my lord.”

  When the light of knowledge came into the eyes of the other maid, he shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Oh.” She seemed at a loss for a moment. “Turn left at the top, my lord. When you reach the gallery, your room will be further down the hall.”

  He thanked them and began to climb the stairs. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were watching him to see if he would add any grist for the mill during his stay at Hawksfell. They’d certainly assumed he would take his ease with one of the maids that very afternoon. He wouldn’t, no matter the fact that he’d been semi-hard since making the drive from Winthrop.

  Again, Daisy filled his mind. Her passion last evening. Her determination today. He had to keep her at arms’ length for her own good. She might think he was the one for her, but she couldn’t be more wrong. He was no good for any gently-bred girl. His desire for her wouldn’t cause him to further disgrace her.

  He followed the maid’s instructions and found himself in a long hallway. He’d glimpsed the family’s rooms to the right of the gallery, but these rooms were set far from them. The first door on the right was ajar, so he pushed the panel open to find Daisy standing in the middle of a room awash in blue. She was obviously in the middle of dressing, and her legs and arms were on full display, all creamy skin and dips and hollows where her underthings caressed her incredible figure.

  She gasped. “Daniel!”

  “I thought this was my room,” he rushed out, ducking back out into the hall.

  His beast roared to life and he bit back a curse. This visit would no doubt prove to be the death of him. The image of her delectable body was burned in his mind, though. He thought of her sweet pussy weeping with passion as she’d found her release. He might be as cursed as any Hawks before him, but perhaps death would be preferable to craving what he knew he shouldn’t take.

  Chapter 4

  Daniel took purposeful steps away from her room. He heard someone moving about in a room three doors away. This door was open as well, but he proceeded with caution. To his relief, the striking blond footman he’d noticed down on the drive earlier was seeing to his effects.

  “Ah,” Daniel said.

  The footman turned, his blue eyes wide, much like Daisy’s had been moments earlier. The servant recovered his composure quickly and dipped his head. “Lord Winthrop.”

  “I take it you’re saddled with me during my stay?”

  The man managed a smile—it was a beautiful smile, really—and nodded. “Yes, my lord. First footman Vincent Gilmore at your service.”

  Daniel arched a brow. “First footman? Can you be spared from your duties?”

  “If Mr. Carstairs says I can, I must.”

  There was a touch of humor to the man’s words, and the echo of a London accent, clipped and crisp and refreshing.

  “Thank you, Vincent.” He began to remove his jacket. “We dress for everything here on the moors, I take it?”

  “Yes, my lord. Tea service is to start soon.”

  “Then I must ready myself.”

  Vincent eyed him for a moment. “Forgive me, but you don’t seem very eager.”

  Daniel blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

  Vincent’s full mouth gaped. “Pardon me please, Lord Winthrop. I never meant to overstep.”

  Daniel shrugged and handed the servant his jacket. “I wasn’t chastising you, Vincent. I merely meant to ask what makes you draw such a conclusion.”

  Vincent appeared to take him at his word as he visibly relaxed a fraction. “I simply noticed a lack of enthusiasm in your speech.” A small smile played around his mouth. “And a decided slump in your shoulders.”

  Daniel gave a short laugh. “You’re quite astute. Oh, it’s not the earl’s family I fear. It’s my ward.”

  “The pretty miss, yes.” When Daniel looked at him in question, Vincent went on. “She asked me which room is yours.”

  Daniel groaned. “Never say you divulged my sanctuary, Vincent.”

  “Never, my lord.”

  Daniel stepped out of his trousers as Vincent brought out his new clothes. “You’re seeing me in my underthings, Vincent. Perhaps you can call me Daniel?”

  The footman’s eyes widened. “I cannot.”

  “Yet I would wager my ward entreated you to call her Daisy.”

  “She did.”

  Daniel shook his head. “Such cheek. She’ll be the death of me.”

  “No doubt.”

  As Vincent dressed him, Daniel studied him out of the corner of his eye. He was really quite handsome, though that shouldn’t be surprising, given his position. He was graceful, too. Nearly as tall as Daniel, but a bit leaner. His hair was as blond as Daisy’s, and the girl must be well and truly captivated by his good looks.

  “Do you think Daisy fancies you, Vincent?”

  “Surely not, my lord.”

  “Hmm. That’s a pity. I was hoping someone would divert her attention from me.”

  “Then…she isn’t yours?”

  Daniel lifted his chin as Vincent straightened his necktie. “No. Why ever would you ask?”

  “It’s truly nothing, I’m sure. It just seems that the young lady has her cap set on you.”

  “Her cap? Not likely. Her heart? Ah, that is my deepest fear.”

  Vincent gave a solemn nod. “The curse.”

  Daniel winced as he fastened his own trousers over his semi-rigid cock. “I see the servants talk here as they do back at Winthrop Hall.”

  “It is discouraged, but surely you know the way of things.”

  “Yes. I saw two maids who fully expected me to ravage one or both of them in my rooms this very afternoon.”

  A heat came into Vincent’s eyes, almost imperceptible. It made Daniel’s blood grow hotter.

  “Don’t pay them any mind, my lord,” he rushed out.

  “As you say,” Daniel returned.

  Vincent continued to regard him closely. His scent was as fresh as his accent and Daniel began to think of all sorts of ways to ease his beast this afternoon. Before he could ask the footman to stroke him as Daisy had, or to drop down to his knees and suck him to release, he faced the mirror. “Thank you, Vincent.”

  To his relief, and a shade of disappointment, Vincent took his leave. Daniel breathed in deeply, willing his lusts to abate. He was here at Hawksfell as a guest of the earl and would not avail himself of any willing ass, pussy or mouth. No. He would keep his desires under control. He thought about the picturesque setting around the grand estate. There was a lake on the property, surely.

  “The water will be nice and cold this time of year,” he muttered to himself.

  He went downstairs to meet the earl and his family.

  * * * *

  Daisy sat at the table, surrounded by people she didn’t know but whom she felt she should. They were all so familiar. Firstly, the Earl of Hawksfell loo
ked so much like Daniel she’d been shocked at tea that afternoon, and now that the earl’s brother Matthew was in attendance, that resemblance was even more pointed. Daniel was the only man in attendance with his particular shade of hair, however. His thick, black hair was as sun-kissed as the rest of him, and the rest of him she knew well, since touching and stroking him just last night.

  Matthew Hawk’s wife was a surprise, however. Her name was Posy, and Daisy couldn’t help but note the similarity between that and her own name. That handsome Hawk had picked a flower for himself, hadn’t he? And he looked quite pleased about that, as did his lady.

  “Daisy, how did you come to accompany Daniel?” Lady Hawksfell asked.

  Daisy smiled at her lovely hostess. The lady was beautiful and clearly devoted to her husband, although she did share many heated glances with the handsome blond man seated at her left. Daisy couldn’t blame her much, however. Michael Crowley was hard to ignore. As fair as the earl was dark, he was quite charming. If Daisy’s tastes ever leaned away from her favorite Hawk, he just might find himself the object of her frustrated desires.

  Nevertheless, that jovial gent was kind and funny and apparently as warmly regarded by the earl as he was by the earl’s wife. It was most singular, and Daisy couldn’t puzzle it out at the moment. No, at the moment she was trying to focus on the conversation at hand and not Daniel, or the very handsome footman who had assisted her that afternoon. Vincent stood ready to serve not far from the table.

  “Why, Daniel’s mother insisted I do so, Lady Hawksfell.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Daniel stiffen a bit. Good. He should know that she was very aware of what he’d been trying to do since that morning. He thought to distance himself from her? Not likely.

  “I hope you’ll avail yourself of the amusements here at Hawksfell,” the lady went on. “We have an extensive library.”

  Daisy brightened. “That is delightful to hear! I fear I’ve read every book at Winthrop in the ten years I’ve been there.”

  Matthew Hawk’s wife blinked. “You’ve been there ten years?”

  Daisy turned to Posy with a nod. “Yes, my lady. Since losing my parents.”