Page 12 of Her Magnificent Mistake (Surprised Heirs #1)

CHAPTER 11

B ull might not be back to normal, but he was close enough to his old self that Marcia was grateful to see him take control.

Immaculately dressed, as always—the man had showed up at Tostinham with a full suitcase and an exhausted looking valet—Bull ran his war council from the blue guest suite. Not because he was in danger of collapsing at any moment—although Marcia was alarmed to see him occasionally go pale and sway a bit—but because it was more private than the library.

And there was no one outside of this room they could trust.

Marcia was in charge of collecting all the ledgers and cashbooks she’d gone over in the previous week. Last night, when she’d explained her theory to Bull and Gabby, she’d reported on everything she’d found…or rather, not found. A week of going through Tostinham’s estate records, helping Hawk make sense of them, had irritatingly revealed no explanation for the deaths.

As she ferried the books and papers to Rupert, who was set up at the desk near the window to verify her findings, Hawk and Allie were being interviewed by Bull, asking them any question he could think of which might be relevant, ranging from “What did ye have for dinner two nights ago and who served it,” to “Where did ye go on holiday, Allison?”

“Nowhere,” she replied flatly. She wasn’t looking at her uncle when she said it. “The only place for me was the school, that had been made clear. So I stayed.”

“Christmases and Hogmanay too?” Bull didn’t sound surprised, but he did lift a brow at Hawk. “And Easter? And the summer?”

Hawk winced.

Leaning across the loveseat where he was seated, he scooped up his niece’s hand. “I’m sorry, Allie,” he said quietly, intently. “I’ll no’ make excuses, other than to say I really, genuinely thought I was doing what was best for ye. Of course, recent events have shown me that I really have nae right—nor really any understanding—of what’s best for others.” He shook his head. “The point is, the wilds of the Highlands were nae place for a wee lassie?—”

She swung her attention fully to him, and her normally teasing brown eyes were pained. “It might have been, if that lassie had someone to care for and protect her.”

As Hawk exhaled something which sounded like a, “ Fooook ,” he moved closer. Marcia tried not to listen, she really did…but well, it was a small room. And she had accidentally drifted closer.

“Ye’re right, Allie.” Hawk gently, hesitantly lifted his arm to put it around her shoulder. “Ye’re right. And…I am sorry. Truly I am.” When she didn’t object to his touch, he pulled her closer. “I see now that I did ye a disservice, and when I see how much ye love Tostinham, I see that we’re far more alike than I ever gave ye credit for.”

“Yes,” Allison sniffed, and it most definitely was a sniff. “Cowal is beautiful, and I am grateful to be here.” She shot Bull a glare. “Not grateful enough to kill for it, by the way.”

Bull’s smile was gentle. “I never thought ye capable of such.”

“Allie…” Hawk hugged her and Marcia felt her shoulders lose the tension she had not known they had accumulated. “I can never undo yer loneliness and deprivation?—”

“Oh, stop it,” Allie huffed, pushing against him so she straightened. “It was not that bad. The school was comfortable, I was safe and well-fed. Yes, my friends went off on holiday, but the headmistress was not a monster, and I was allowed free rein of the library.” She clucked her tongue as she patted at her hair. “It is not as if I were chained in a dungeon and subsided on bread and water. Not unless I had been really wicked.”

Marcia saw Hawk’s lips twitch as he reached for his niece’s hand once more. “Fine. Then let us just say: The past is behind us, and now we’ve found each other, and Tostinham, where we can be happy together. If ye’d like, I can teach ye to be a good steward to this land, so that one day ye might care for yer own land—whether that be Tostinham, upon my death, or…or yer husband’s estate.”

Gabby, hovering over Rupert’s shoulder, made a little noise of amusement and drew Marcia’s gaze. When her cousin cut her eyes toward Rupert, Marcia saw her little brother’s ears slowly turning red as his stare burned a hole in the report he was currently holding.

She’d wager he wasn’t looking at the numbers, but was focused on the conversation behind him…and the hope that one day Allison might be his duchess and learn to love Peasgoode as much as he did.

To Marcia’s surprise, given what Hawk had mentioned, Allison didn’t object to the possibility of marriage. While her own cheeks pinked, the girl turned her glare first on her uncle, then on Bull. “While I love Tostinham—especially Pook’s Glen—I have no need to become its mistress. I’d much rather be the mistress of another—well, you know what I mean. Let us do our best to keep Uncle Maxwell alive long enough for him to marry and begat another heir. Preferably a male one, so I will not have to kill my uncle for this place—I am joking !” She huffed in exasperation when Hawk made a choking noise.

Bull’s lips twitched, even as he shot a look at Marcia. “Indeed,” he quipped blandly. “Let’s hope your uncle marries verra soon.”

Now it was Marcia’s turn to blush.

Marriage? That is clearly what Bull and Allison expected. And once upon a time, it was what Marcia had expected from Hawk. But now? Now she was just pleased to know he loved her and was innocent.

Because when he found out the truth of why she was here, and how she’d manipulated him…

Sighing, Marcia turned away.

Apparently Gabby understood and took pity on her, drawing attention her way by clearing her throat. “In the interest of keeping Hawk alive, allow me to report that I have found nothing from the servants to shed light on who would want the barons dead. There are a few, however, with secrets.” She nodded toward Hawk. “You have already discovered Michaelson’s embezzlement—he is the steward,” she explained for Bull.

“No’ for long,” growled Hawk. “I’ll have him replaced as soon as I ken Allie is safe.”

Gabby ticked another name off her fingers. “Mrs. McGillicuddy says that the footmen like to gamble, and McMackinacker—the tall gangly one—is the one with the most debt, although there has never been a whisper about him trying to gain a little money on the side.”

“He willnae earn it by being a valet,” Rupert muttered. “I cannae believe ye saddled with me such an awkward fellow.”

Marcia pressed her lips together, trying not to smirk at the idea of Rupert calling someone else awkward.

Gabby planted her hands on her hips and stared at the ceiling as she tried to remember the rest of her report. “The murders go back for years, yes? But many of the servants working at Tostinham now are fairly new, having been hired in the last few years. Most of them were hired directly by Artrip, who runs belowstairs with an iron fist.”

“Who else has been around the longest?” Bull asked. “Besides the butler, who else should we interview tomorrow?”

Gabby pursed her lips in thought. “McGillicuddy, of course, although best of luck getting anything sensical out of her. The cook, definitely. One of his assistants is his cousin’s daughter, and even if they have not worked here long, they would know the gossip. And quite a few of the stable hands have been around since Hawk’s grandfather’s time.”

As Bull nodded, Hawk cleared his throat. “That ye, Smith-Smy—nay, sorry, Smythe-Smith-Smythe. Is that right? I appreciate ye gathering information to discover who might want me—want us dead.”

Instead of responding, Gabby turned slightly so he would only see her profile, and gave Marcia a Significant Look. The Look which said the idiot still thinks I am your maid? Have you not confessed to him ?

Marcia’s brows drew in, trying to remember what she’d told Hawk, and what Bull had told him. Had they not announced Gabby’s true identity? Hmm. Add that to the list of things she really ought to tell him.

She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to set him straight, but Bull beat her to it. “Well, I suppose before I can start interviewing the servants to learn of Tostinham’s secrets, we ought to discuss safety. Hawk, if someone wants ye dead?—”

“I can take care of myself,” he was quick to reassure his friend. “A decade of logging will give ye strength enough. I’m far more concerned about Allie.”

Bull nodded in agreement. “I suggest a guard. I ken it’ll be an irritation, lassie, but we need to ken ye’re safe as we continue investigating elsewhere.”

Allison sighed, then nodded. “I understand, although I do not like it. Tomorrow Rupert and I have plans to visit Pook’s Glen. I asked Artrip to arrange a picnic luncheon, because I suspect Rupert will become distracted by the rhododendron and the firs and we will miss luncheon.”

In a sudden movement, Rupert thrust himself away from the desk and swung to face them. “I am looking forward to it!” he announced, too quickly and too loudly. Marcia did not smile, although it was close. “I’ve heard so much about the burn, and we only have a few more days to see the blooms!”

Hawk’s eyes had narrowed. “Should a footman join ye? I’ll ask McMackinacker —”

“Nay, I’ll see to Allie’s protection!” Rupert took a deep breath, and softened his voice. “I mean…she’ll be safe with me. I’ll guard her with my life, every hour of the day.”

“Aye, but even still, a chaperone would be expect—what ye mean, every hour?” Hawk growled, clearly thinking of the overnight hours.

Rupert seemed to understand, judging from the way he flushed. But his jaw hardened and he lifted his chin mulishly. “I swear on all that is holy that Allie will be safe , even from me.” He turned an intense gaze to her. “I hold ye in the highest regard, Miss Hawthorne, and I…I would never disrespect ye.”

Allison blushed and dropped her gaze to her lap, but not before Marcia saw her pleased smile.

The lass might be vocally against marriage when chatting with her uncle, but it was clear she was caught in her first blush of affection.

Rather like ye were, hmmm ?

Aye, and God willing, Rupert and Allison wouldn’t take ten long years to get their heads out of their arses and figure out what was necessary.

Bull was the one to clear his throat. “Rupert is a good man, and ye can trust Allie with him, Hawk. Dinnae be a hypocrite, eh?”

Gabby made a noise suspiciously like a laugh turned into a cough, and turned away.

Marcia pressed her lips together to hide her smile, and raised a brow in challenge to Hawk, who had the good grace to roll his eyes as his lips twitched ruefully.

Well, when the man put it like that…

The rest of the war council passed quickly, and they all repaired to the dining room for the evening meal, which was… fun . Lively. Full of teasing.

And the whole experience was unique enough that only Artrip seemed to mind that Marcia’s “maid” was dining with them.

“Pass the gravy, Gabby,” Bull declared as Allie asked, “Who is Gabby?”

Hawk pointed a fork across the table and said in a pointed whisper, “Marcia’s maid, Smack-Smock-Smork. I think Bull fancies her.”

As Gabby dissolved into giggles, the rest of the table chimed in with corrections about her name, and the topic drifted to something different.

The meal was pleasant. Content. The food was good, Marcia could not help but think, and so was the company. As if…they were a family. As if, despite the danger hanging over their heads, they had a future to look forward to.

And afterwards, after Hawk had escorted his niece to her room and glared Rupert into a chair outside her door, Marcia wrapped her arm around his waist and dropped her head to his shoulder. With his arm around her, they strolled down the corridor.

“I am sorry I kept the investigation a secret,” Marcia finally said, breaking the comfortable silence. “But I am pleased you and Allison are no longer suspects, and are being kept safe.”

Hawk made a humming noise which sounded as if he wasn’t paying full attention. She glanced up at him to see a muscle in his jaw ticking. “What is wrong?” she asked, fear flashing through her.

There was a murderer on the loose, after all.

“I’m wondering where we’re going.”

Now? Marcia glanced around in surprise. “My room is beside yours.” As it had been for a week. Surely he could not have forgotten?—

In a movement so sudden it surprised a gasp from her, Hawk swung her about, pressing her back to the wall of the corridor. He placed one forearm against the wall by her head and leaned closer. “And what I want to ken, Marcia, is if ye’re planning on leaving yer door unlocked.”

Oh.

Oh my .

In that moment Marcia’s heartbeat had doubled in speed, her pulse fluttering wildly, her mouth dry in anticipation, her breaths coming faster as she stared wide-eyed up at Hawk. His lips were only inches from hers and she could see each blade of his stubble, each fleck of gold in his dark eyes.

“Well, lass?” He leaned closer, his lips brushing against the small hairs at her temple, until each breath was filled with Hawk Hawk Hawk . “Will ye? Will ye leave yer door unlocked, now that there’s nae reason for us no’ to be together?” When he flexed his hips, she could feel his hardness straining for her warmth.

Her tongue flicked across her lips, and she hesitantly settled her hands on his hips, curling her fingers around his waistband, loving the fact that he still smelled of sawdust and sweat. Smelled like Hawk. “After that rather public kiss, my family assumes you and I are…friendly.”

“ Verra friendly,” he growled.

“And they approve.” She held her breath, wondering what he would say in the face of her certainty.

“Aye, I ken it.” His lips moved to her ear, and she shuddered. “Bull gave me his blessing.”

Oh . Marcia sucked in a gasp, this one of joy. Bull knew? Hawk had discussed them with Bull, and Bull had given his blessing? Her fingers tightened around the waist of Hawk’s trousers and she pulled him closer, tucking his hardness against the place where she needed his pressure the most.

“Then he already thinks we are sleeping together?” she whispered teasingly.

“Sleeping?” he growled, pressing his mouth against her skin. “I dinnae plan on sleeping .”

They tumbled into his suite and Marcia barely had time to take in the rich paneling and heavy drapery, pulled back to allow the summer night air to cool the room, before Hawk caught her up in his arms.

This kiss was full of joy, full of promise. Full of a future.

And by the time they pulled apart, they were already half-undressed.

“Nay,” he gasped, pushing her firmly away from himself. Before she had time to be disappointed, he pointed one scarred, callused finger at her chest. “We’re no’ doing this slapdash, Marcia. I’m no’ going to fook ye up against the wall.”

Her hands were already shaking as she tried to undo her buttons. “You’re not—why not? I thought it quite a memorable experience.” After all, the strength he brought to love-making had always been one of her favorite memories—and she was rather eager to make new ones. “Could I not convince you to?—”

“Stop jabbering, woman, and get naked!”

His command was accompanied by a growl as he settled himself on a chair and lifted one boot to work his laces. His gaze, however, didn’t drop from her body, and Marcia’s blood heated to near boiling point at the desire she saw there.

So she took her time removing her clothing, piece by piece, each one fluttering softly to the floor in as enticing and teasing a manner as she could manage. By the time she stood in just her stockings, torn between pride, temptation, and nerves, Hawk was wearing only his trousers.

He was slumped in the chair, knees spread invitingly, trousers unbuttoned, his cock pressing against the wool, and his hand wrapped around it. Was there anything sexier than a man who was so overcome he had to stroke himself through his clothing? Marcia felt quite powerful indeed.

She lifted her hands to her throat to unclasp her pendant, but Hawk rasped, “Leave it on.”

He stood in one sudden movement and she braced herself in anticipation for his touch—but he merely moved around her, as if studying her. As if he was a museum patron and she a work of art.

“Stunning,” he murmured. When he reached out to trace a finger along her lower back, Marcia shuddered and moaned. Was that a chuckle from him?

Hawk stopped his circling and stepped closer, behind her; not quite touching, but his breath warm on her skin. “Just stunning,” he murmured again, as his arms rose around her, bracketing her, his hands closing around her breasts and hefting them, pushing them toward the sparkling blue amulet they framed. “Perfection.”

Marcia was well aware she was far from perfect, but her body thrummed for his touch now, and she arched her back, simultaneously pressing her breasts into his hold and her arse against his hardness.

“Good lass,” he breathed, dropping his mouth to her shoulder. “Such a good lass. I want…I want to taste ye.”

Her breath caught. “Yes,” she managed to choke. “Please.” Her core, already throbbing with need, flooded with another burst of desire.

He squeezed her breasts at the same moment his teeth scraped along her shoulder, and she shuddered in his hold.

This. This was where she belonged.

“Ye want me to put my mouth on ye?” he murmured, catching her nipples in his fingers, rolling them. “Ye want me to make ye scream?”

“Oh, God, yes .” Marcia wriggled against him, pressing her thighs together to assuage the ache there. “Please, Hawk.”

He tugged at her nipples, the sensation making her gasp sharply, then squeezed again. As much as she loved this, she wanted his fingers lower, lower . Her own hands stole forward, hovering over her curls, uncertain what she should do, nearly overwhelmed with pleasure.

But Hawk surprised her by suddenly stepping away, grabbing her by the shoulders, and spinning her to face him. She barely had time to gasp before he grabbed her by the waist and lifted .

With a squeal, Marcia grabbed his shoulders, but then he stepped toward the bed and lifted her higher, tilting her knees over his shoulders, shifting his hold to her arse, then her thighs…until her core was even with his mouth.

Her heart leapt to her throat at the sudden altitude, and she lunged to wrap her arm around the bed poster to help keep her up. This was ? —

He hummed in pleasure, and before she could even understand what was happening, Hawk’s tongue slid along her curls.

“Hawk!” Marcia squealed, allowing him to pull one leg tighter over his shoulder, curling herself around his head, holding on half in terror, half in amazement at this ridiculous, amazing show of strength.

She wanted to caution him to be careful, not to hurt himself…but if she had, he wouldn’t be able to respond, because his mouth was decidedly full.

This time he couldn’t use his fingers; so the wonderful man put his tongue and lips to good use. As Marcia practically humped his face, holding on for dear life, he licked and sucked and teased and nibbled her closer and closer to release.

His tongue wasn’t large enough to ride the way she wanted, but it didn’t matter because he was focused on her clitoris. This wasn’t deep enough, wasn’t thick enough…but oh, Christ, was it good.

Hawk’s lips closed around her bud and his teeth scraped the sensitive skin and she curled her hands in his hair and froze as her pleasure, already so close, burst over her.

Shuddering, it was all Marcia could do to hold on, as her release prepared to sweep through her. God it was good—but…it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t…

Then she was moving, flying through the air. She hit the mattress with an oof , her thighs still tight, her blood still pounding. She pushed herself up on her elbows in time to see Hawk ripping his trousers down, allowing his cock to spring free.

When he grabbed her ankles, his fingers closing around the silk of her stockings, she moaned in anticipation. There were no words, just whimpers. Hawk pulled her toward the edge of the bed, grasped his cock in one hand, slammed his other palm to the mattress beside her, and bent over her.

As he pushed into her wetness, hard and determined and thick, she whimpered against him, stretching her thighs wide to accommodate his girth, reveling in the sensation of being filled , being held.

Hawk began to thrust, pinning her to the mattress with his weight. She could barely breathe, the sensation only heightening her focus on the way his cock slammed into her, hardness and sheer girth providing the unrelenting pressure she needed as her core tightened again.

Marcia hooked her ankles around the back of his legs and dug her fingers into the flesh of his back, trying to pull him closer. The hand that wasn’t supporting Hawk snaked between her back and the mattress, managing to press her against him even tighter as he fooked her hard and fast, chasing the breath from her body.

Yes.

Yes!

Yes !

This is what she’d missed; this strength, this assurance! Hawk tackled everything in his life with all of his being and all of himself, which sometimes led others to think he was clumsy. But in reality there was just so much energy , so much motion there, it spilled out occasionally.

But here and now, like this? They were perfectly in sync. This strength, this speed, this utter domination, it was what Marcia wanted. What she needed.

“Oh God,” she moaned as the pressure built. “Yesssss.” Already she could feel another release coming. Forget soft and gentle lovemaking; she adored the way he pinned her against something hard and fooked her even harder.

Sure enough, Hawk was panting above her. “Such a perfect little cunny, Marcia. I’ve never forgotten this cunny.” Each syllable was accompanied by another hard thrust. “This is mine . My cunny.”

“Yes,” she gasped. “Oh, Christ, yes , Hawk. Yours.”

Another three hard thrusts, then his mouth bent down to capture hers, to silence her—and as his tongue brushed against hers, the gentle motion was so unexpected that Marcia stiffened against him, her core tightening.

Hawk hummed his approval even as her orgasm began, her inner muscles spasming around his cock. He stiffened, and dimly she knew he was close, that he would pull out soon, and she mourned, even as she writhed, pinned by his cock. She wanted everything, wanted to feel so close to him there was no distance between them.

But then he released her lips, threw his head back, and roared as he came, spilling his seed into her core. Into his cunny.

Marcia gasped at the sensation as her release suddenly felt slicker, warmer, more interesting. His head dropped, his weight now held on his elbows and forearms, as she twitched around him.

He’d joined with her fully, giving all of himself, and she was in awe.

After a long moment Hawk collapsed, rolling sideways, taking her with him. His cock slid from within her, releasing a flood of warm wetness across her thighs, and she ended up pressed against his shoulder as their breathing returned to normal.

He had spilled within her.

Slowly, Marcia’s lips curled into an amazed grin as she realized why .

He loved her. And she loved him.

And unlike all those years ago, Bull had given his blessing.

For the first time, Hawk believed he could have a future with her. And Marcia, for her part, desperately wanted a future with him.

Her lips brushed against his skin. “I love you, Hawk.”

“Nay,” he responded immediately. “It’s my job to say such thing to ye , ye remarkable creature.” As she snorted, his hold tightened. “Marcia, I love ye, and I want to marry ye.”

Her breath caught. Marriage. Marriage . It was…what she thought she once wanted. Was it what she wanted now? With Hawk, you cannot go wrong . “I think…” she slowly began. “I think I would like to marry you as well. Perhaps not right away.”

His fingers began to idly stroke her bare back. “What do I have to do to convince ye to marry me tomorrow? I’ve never bedded a wife before. I think I’d like it.”

This time her snort was definitely a huff of laughter, and she pushed herself up to be able to meet his gaze as she smiled. “Perhaps we should solve the mystery of Tostinham’s past, before we think about the future?”

“Nay,” he groaned, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her atop him, pushing the amulet out of the way in order to bury his face between her breasts. “Nay, I need to focus on my future now ,” he said, his voice muffled. “Now, with ye.”

Giggling now, she smacked his shoulder, the languidness already seeping from her. “Fine, you silly man. If you really insist, I will commit to a future with you.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Not tomorrow. Your niece already has plans. The Glen, remember?”

Huffing a huge, put-upon sigh, Hawk rolled toward the edge of the bed, surprising a squeak from her as he pulled her with him. “Fine!” he announced, mock irritation in his voice. “Ye drive a hard bargain. I suppose, since Allie is busy, we can postpone the wedding.”

“What are you doing?” she asked as he stood, hefting her as if she weighed nothing.

He didn’t even glance down as the man she loved stalked toward the bathing room. “I’m drawing a bath. I’m going to wash ye, I’m going to tell ye how much I love ye, I’m going to tease ye, and I’m going to make ye come three or four more times. By then I should be recovered enough to fook ye again.”

Oh…my.

Already breathless, Marcia wrapped her arms around his neck. “Something to look forward to, then.”

A future with Hawk? Yes, please!