Page 58 of From Rakes to Riches

“Scones? Oh, very well, then. You’d best hurry, Miss Templeton. The boys are waiting for you in the entryway.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Norris.” She leapt up from the table and hurried up the stairs, her mind whirling. She had to come up with a way to keep Lord Hawke from leaving Hawke’s Run. But how? There was no way to keep him from finding out that Lady Pamela was now his for the taking. One of his friends from London was sure to write to him about it.

“Good morning, Miss Templeton!” Etienne called from the top of the stairs. He came charging down them, his brother right behind him.

“We’d better hurry, Miss Templeton.” Ryan seized her hand and tugged her toward the entryway. “We’re to play tag in the churchyard with Freddy and Ian, and whoever gets there last has to hunt for the others first.”

“Yes, alright. We’ll go at once.” She took each of the boys’ hands in hers and was hurrying to the door when a deep voice behind her stopped her in her tracks.

“Wait, Miss Templeton.”

She stilled, a shiver darting up her spine. Lord Hawke.

“I thought I’d come along with you this morning.”

“You want to come with us?” She turned to face him, and nearly choked on her tongue. He was wearing a bottle-greencoat that perfectly matched his eyes, and fitted breeches that perfectly flattered his?—

“Only if it’s agreeable to you, Miss Templeton.”

“Why, of course, but you do realize we’re going to the St. Mary’s Ladies’ Benevolent Society Meeting?” It didn’t seem at all the sort of thing that would interest him.

“Yes. I feel I must attend, Miss Templeton, to make certain my mistletoe is properly accounted for.”

He gave her an uncertain little smile that melted her heart, and before she could stop herself, she was smiling back. “You’re very welcome to accompany us, Lord Hawke.”

“Hurrah!” Ryan cried, before darting out the door, Etienne chasing after him.

“I was surprised to find the boys attend the St. Mary’s Ladies’ Benevolent Society meetings with you, Miss Templeton,” Lord Hawke began, as they made their way down the well-worn path that led to the village of Steeple Barton. “I’ve no idea how you talked them intothat.”

“Oh, they don’t come inside, but chase around with the other boys in the churchyard. I’ve gotten into the habit of taking them with me everywhere, my lord, though I confess there are days when it would be easier to simply lock them in a cupboard until I return from my errands.”

He laughed. “You could leave them with Abby, or Mrs. Norris.”

“I suppose, but they’re busy, and besides, I enjoy the boys’ company very much. I’d never choose to leave them behind,” she added, her smile fading.

“Well, let’s hope you never have to.”

It was the perfect opening, the ideal moment to tell him shewouldhave to leave them, and soon, but she couldn’t make the words leave her lips. Not now, on such a beautiful morning, with the sky a brilliant blue above them, the boys’ lively chattercarrying on the clear, bright air, and Lord Hawke walking beside her, the breeze ruffling his dark hair.

It wasn’t difficult to see why Lady Pamela would prefer Lord Hawke to the plump Prince Regent, for all that he was destined to become king. Lord Hawke was wonderfully tall, and, er…firm, in all the places a gentleman was meant to be firm, and he had the loveliest green eyes imaginable, the same dark green as forest ferns.

What would become of him, if he returned to London now, and took up with that awful Lady Pamela again? Because of course, shemustbe awful—and spent every night overindulging in brandy and debauchery?

He was a strong, strapping man, but how much abuse could any man’s body endure? If something happened to him, what would become of the boys? They’d be left parentless, and?—

“Good day, Miss Templeton!”

The cheerful voice tore her from her musings, and she looked up in surprise to find they’d reached the churchyard, and Lady Goodall and her niece Lady Anne were waiting at the entrance to the church.

“Hullo, Freddy!” Ryan shouted, waving at his friend.

“Don’t shout, if you please, Ryan.”

“Beg pardon, Miss Templeton. Can’t we go and play now?” Etienne turned to her with a pleading look. “Freddy and Ian are waiting for us!”

“Yes, go on. I’ll fetch you when we’re finished.”

The boys raced off, and Helena hurried forward to take Lady Goodall’s outstretched hand. “Lady Goodall, and Lady Anne. How do you do? Oh, dear. Is something amiss? You look rather grim, my lady.”

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