The Hawk and the Dove by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page B

fellow!”
    “Who intends to be bolder,” he said, pressing his lipsto her neck just beneath her ear, then sat himself in her chair of state and held her in his lap. He grinned down at her. “I brought you a present.”
    “I heard about the Spanish galleon. Your daring transcends ordinary sanity!”
    “I mean a present for you, Bess, not England.”
    Her black eyes glittered with excitement at being held captive against his broad chest.
    “Where is it?” she commanded.
    “Find it!” he challenged.
    Her long, slim hands made short work of frisking his body until she detected a box tucked inside his doublet. Her fingers slipped between his doublet and his silk shirt, but still could not close over the treasure, for it was beneath even the shirt. Her nimble fingers undid a button and slipped teasingly between the silk and his naked flesh, and he pretended to groan with the passion she aroused in him.
    Exultantly she drew forth the box and opened it greedily. There lay a magnificent pair of dangling ear ornaments of jade and emeralds. She was inordinately fond of jewels and allowed him to fasten them onto her ears. Then he looked deep into her eyes and said suggestively, “What hidden treasure do you have for me, Bess?”
    She slapped his bold hand from the hem of her gown. “You forget yourself because I call you a god.”
    “Nay, I’m all man!”
    “Knave is more like it,” she scolded archly. “If I invite you to return tomorrow will you bring me another jewel?”
    He grinned. “Aye, but if you invite me to return tonight, I’ll give you that which I treasure most.” Then he bent and kissed her full upon the mouth.
    She melted into his arms; then, like quicksilver, she jumped from his lap and assumed her queenship again. “Sirrah, I command you to come for the dancing tonight. More you dare not hope for.”
    “I dare anything, Bess.”
    “You have been away overlong, my Adonis—six months, was it not? I demand equal time.”
    “Your Majesty, my father lies near death. If aught happens to him I shall have to beg your permission to leave court.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “A few days only. I want you to join our summer progress in July.”
    Although it was the farthest thing from his heart he said, “I shall be honored, Your Majesty.” He bowed low and she offered him her hand to kiss, but before he could depart she threw out the question he had been expecting. “What is my share of the profits?”
    He hid a grin and said, straight-faced, “Forty thousand pounds, Your Grace.” She half smiled, and he added, “And I’ll throw in the galleon for good measure.” Then she smiled fully and the effect was dazzling.
    Back on board he changed out of his peacock garments and got on with his other business. By nightfall he had unloaded all the cargo into his own warehouses, which were guarded twenty-four hours of the day. Tomorrow he would tally up forty thousand pounds’ worth of silver and other rare goods and have them transferred to the treasury.
    He then sought out Jacob Goldman at Gray’s Inn, the preserve of all London’s lawyers. “Good evening, Goldman.”
    “Not so good, Captain Hawkhurst. Though I tracedthe owner of the land you wanted, I was not able to procure it for you.”
    Hawk uttered an oath, then advised, “Try again—raise our offer.”
    Goldman nodded his understanding and Hawkhurst waved it aside. “We’ve more pressing business. Draw up marriage contracts.”
    Jacob Goldman’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Who is the lucky bride, m’lord?”
    “Ah, that’s the tricky part, Jacob. You must find one for me.”
    Jacob Goldman thought his dealings with the Hawkhurst empire had inured him to surprises, but as he listened to his client he could hardly believe what was being asked of him.
    Hawk finished, “So you see, I gave my word to my father. God knows, he’s asked little enough of me.”
    “So, what are your requirements for this wife?” Silently he wondered,
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