Lady Hawk's Folly by Amanda Scott Read Free Book Online

had any comprehension of the point she was trying to make. He was silent for a moment, considering her words. Then he looked at her, a question in his eyes.
    “There was a moment when I thought he resented what I said to him, but the moment passed so quickly that I decided I was mistaken. And I was scarcely harsh with him, Mollie. Moreover, no one else paid any heed to us, I assure you.”
    Mollie sighed. “Whether they heeded or not does not signify, my lord. ’Tis enough that they were present. And harsh or not, we are not recently accustomed to bowing before anyone’s authority, least of all yours. So, of course Ramsay resented it, but he could scarcely tell you so to your head, especially…”
    “Yes? Especially, what?” he prompted.
    But she had herself in hand again and shook her head firmly. “No, my lord, it is not for me to say more. I should not have said so much.”
    “Nonsense. You may say what you like to me.”
    But she shook her head again, knowing she must not. She could not tell tales of Ramsay. He would, in his own good time, tell his brother that he had decided to skip a full term at Oxford in order to be a man about town. No doubt, after this afternoon, he would delay that confession as long as possible.
    When she continued in her silence, Hawk gave a little sigh, but he did not press her. Instead, he turned the conversation to the estate, asking first rather general questions and then, as he became aware of the depth of her understanding, more specific ones. In this way the time passed quite amiably until the tea tray was brought in.
    The cardplayers had finished their game and Ramsay and the others had long since returned from the stables. No one made much of an effort to stifle yawns, and although Ramsay glanced once or twice at his brother as though wondering if the time were right for private speech with him, he evidently decided against it, for he went upstairs with the other gentlemen as soon as the servants came to clear away the tea service.
    Hawk bent to kiss his aunt on the forehead. “Going up, ma’am?”
    “Indeed I am,” she replied. “What a day this has been. Such a lovely surprise, my dear, having you home again. You have kept us in such a worry, you know, these past years.”
    “I am persuaded you would like very much to read me a scold for being so long away,” he said, “but I hope you will not.”
    “Oh, no indeed, Gavin. I would not presume to do such a thing. A gentleman always knows his own mind best, after all. Not but what Andrew might not have something to say to you on that head, but you needn’t pay him any mind, of course. Not anymore.”
    Hawk grinned at her. “You cannot know how relieved I am to hear you say so, ma’am, but why not?”
    “Why, you are master of Hawkstone now,” she replied simply. “What on earth could Andrew have to say to that?”
    “Nothing at all, dear ma’am. Shall we go upstairs with you?”
    “There is no need to do so, for here is my faithful Prentice, come to see why I am dawdling so. I have been raking, Prentice, but Lord Breckin and I won four guineas at whist, so it has not been for naught. Good night, dear ones. Gavin,” she added, placing one plump, smooth hand upon his arm and giving it a squeeze, “I am so glad you have returned safely to us at last.”
    He kissed her again and then stood with Mollie, watching her go up the sweeping stairway with her dresser.
    “Shall we go up, too, my lady?”
    “If it please you, sir.” Mollie’s voice seemed to come from deep in her throat. She hoped he would merely see her to her door, say good night, and be on his way to the master’s chamber, which had long since been prepared against his coming. She feared matters would not arrange themselves so comfortably as that, however, and could scarcely claim to a feeling of even the slightest surprise when he stopped her as she turned toward the second flight of stairs at the end of the gallery.
    “My things have been put into