Page 81 of Her Magnificent Mistake
She’d sacrificed her inheritance from Lady Mistree to save them all, and it had worked. And who knew? Perhaps Pookhadresided in her pendant, and was now back home, living wild in his Glen.
Hawk wondered if the burn would feel differently the next time they visited.
“I love ye,” he whispered to her, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
Marcia sighed and leaned into his touch for just a moment, then took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “Let us face the masses.”
“And tell yer brothers our good news?”
Her lips twitched. “And listen to Rupert put himself in the same category as all his favorite classical heroes. I can just hear him now:I was shot protecting you, Allison! I require a kiss!”
“Lord above!” Hawk burst into laughter. “Hercules, Odysseus, and Rupert, eh?”
“Exactly,” she laughed, then raised her fist to knock on the door.
At Bull’s “Come in,” they pushed into the suite, and Hawk breathed a little sigh of relief that he’d guessed correctly where everyone would be.
There was Bull, looking dapper as always, his lips tugged into a frown as he sorted through piles of correspondence, a decanter—which had been full yesterday—at his elbow.
Rupert was stretched out on the settee, a heavy bandage around his upper arm, with Allie squeezed up next to him stroking hisforehead, just as Marcia had guessed. Studiously ignoring them was Gabby, scribbling furiously in a journal.
On their entrance, she looked up and snapped the book closed, her expression one of professional intent. “Rupert’s injury is perfectly clean. I have treated it with saline and iodine to prevent infection.”
“Is that no’ for coos?” Rupert called from the settee.
“Just do not allow anyone to milk you,” she shot right back.
Allie flushed pink, but didn’t bother to hide her smirk.
Bull grinned as he shook his head and pushed back from the desk, but there was still tension around his eyes. “Thank ye, Hawk, for keeping my brother and sister safe,” he announced as he crossed the room.
Opening his arms, he embraced Hawk, who gladly accepted the hug. “I am honored to be trusted.”
“Aye.” Bull held him at arm’s length, studying him. “Aye, I do trust ye. And more importantly…” His gray gaze flicked to his sister. “So does Marsh.”
“I love him,” she announced softly, sliding her arm back through Hawk’s.
Bull nodded slowly, and Hawk felt as if he needed to defend himself. “I’ve asked Marcia to become my wife, and she’s agreed.”
Bull’s expression slowly cleared to a soft smile. “Then I am happy for ye both. I’m glad ye finally found what ye needed to be happy together. Whatever mistakes of the past ye shared?—”
“There’ve beenplentyof mistakes,” Hawk said wryly, tugging her up against him.
Marcia grinned. “Wonderful mistakes. Magnificent mistakes!”
Hawk tried not to think of those delicious mistakes. Not in company. Not if he didn’t want to have to hide his cockstand behind a book.
Gabby came bounding up and swept Marcia into a hug, her squeal of excitement muffled somewhat, thankfully. “Marriage! How exciting! Can I be your maid of honor?”
Bull nudged her. “Only if I get to be Hawk’s best man.”
From across the room, Rupert had struggled into an upright position, helped by an eager Allie. “Dinnae be daft, it makes far more sense for Allie and me to take those roles. That way I can escort her down the aisle.”
Did the lad not see how Allie’s eyes widened at the suggestion? Or had that been the point?
Would Hawk’s niece end up as the next Duchess of Peasgoode?
Someday, perhaps. Rupert’s got a long campaign ahead of him to convince her!
