Page 21 of The Earl That Got Away (Sirens in Silk #2)

Chapter Seventeen

Now

England

T hey were staying at Briar Hall for only three nights before traveling on to London. Naila did her best to avoid Hawk as much as was politely possible.

On their second day at Briar Hall, they toured the grounds, exploring the herb gardens and orchards before Hawk’s staff laid out a generous picnic.

Hawk, Guy and Ghassan spent a great deal of time talking with one another.

And when the men weren’t together, Hawk escorted Hind. They were often laughing.

Naila walked with the children while they explored the grounds.

She also spent time with Kareem. They’d explored the gallery and other parts of the house, with Kareem pointing out some of the unique Elizabethan architectural details.

It was during one of these explorations that they ran into Hawk in the music room.

“I do beg your pardon, my lord,” Kareem said when they entered the room to find Hawk sitting by a generous window with a book on his lap.

Hawk rose and reached for his discarded morning coat. “Not at all.”

“I hope you don’t mind that Miss Darwish and I were exploring Briar Hall. As an architect, I am naturally fascinated by this magnificent house.”

“You are my guests. You must explore to your heart’s content.” His eyes skimmed over Naila. “Good afternoon, Miss Darwish.”

She dipped her chin. “Lord Hawksworth.” She deliberately used his formal title, keeping the necessary distance between them. She had had enough of his behavior, of how he ran hot and cold with her. She must endure one more night in this house and then they’d be off to London. And away from him.

“Have you two been spending a great deal of time inspecting the house?” Hawk asked, a slight edge in his voice.

“Do you mind if we explore the house or would you prefer that we keep to our chambers?” she asked, matching the edge in his voice.

Her less-than-polite tone prompted Kareem to look at her in surprise.

“I don’t mind at all,” Hawk replied. “If you two would like a formal tour of the house then it would be my pleasure to show it to you. After luncheon, why don’t we convene in the front hall and everyone who is interested can come along.”

“That is a very generous offer, my lord,” Kareem said. “We would not wish to inconvenience you.”

“Not at all. As I said, it will be my pleasure. I enjoy sharing my house with visitors.”

The tour began directly after the afternoon meal. Everyone came along except for Guy, who’d departed for London that morning.

Hawk led them through several well-appointed drawing rooms and the high great chamber which was used for balls and other entertainment.

Like Naila’s room, many of the bedchambers had color themes; they visited the Blue and Green Rooms. The muniment room held centuries of official Briar Hall records and documents in small wooden drawers that lined the walls.

Even the kitchens were impressive, bright, with high ceilings, several worktables and sunlight streaming through the expansive windows.

“And this is my study,” Hawk said leading them into a room full of dark woods and leather. “This is where I attend to most estate business.”

Naila inhaled the scents of the chamber. Old books, lemon polish, old leather. And the faintest hint of Hawk’s shaving soap. She could easily imagine him spending hours in this room, applying himself to running his estate.

Tears stung her eyes but they were tears of pride.

She’d always known that Hawk had potential, that he would make something of himself in this world.

True, he had inherited his title and lands, but she remembered Raya saying that Hawk ran his vast estate masterfully.

That he’d inherited a poorly run estate and spent the past several years making the estate profitable.

Hind surveyed the room with wide eyes. “There are so many rooms. It’s a wonder you don’t get lost.”

Hawk smiled at her. “I must confess that I did lose my way a time or two when I first began living here.”

Kareem stared for a bit at the mahogany shelves lining one wall. Then he crossed over to carefully examine them. Naila wondered what he was doing.

“Are we done yet?” Abdallah, Nadine’s eldest son, whispered loudly to his mother. “This is boring.”

“Hush!” Nadine gave him the death stare. “Where are your manners?”

Over at the bookshelves, Kareem turned to Hawk. “Is there a secret chamber behind this bookshelf, my lord?”

“Very astute,” said Hawk, who’d been watching Kareem study the bookstacks. “And yes, there is a secret passage through there.”

Nadine’s boys perked up. “There is?” Abdallah asked. “Can we see it?”

“ May we see it?” Ghassan corrected the boy.

“May we?” The boy bounced on his heels. “May we?”

“Of course.” Hawk went over to release the hidden latch, swinging the door open.

“Fascinating,” Kareem said, before stepping through the portal. The boys scrambled in after him, followed by their parents and Hind.

“Have a care,” Hawk said to Ghassan. “The boys should not go as far as the stairs. It is dark and unsafe.”

Ghassan nodded. “I will keep them away from there.”

That left Naila alone with Hawk. She was about to follow when her eye caught on something on the desk. A gold fountain pen. A prototype created by an inventor named William Purvis that contained a reservoir within the writing implement, eliminating the need to use a separate ink pot.

The pen wasn’t widely available but her cousin Eyad knew the inventor and had been able to get the prototype. Naila had gifted the pen to Hawk. I love it , he’d said, as I love you . It was the first time he’d declared his love.

“Miss Darwish?” Hawk’s voice jolted her back to the present. She blinked her eyes away from the pen to meet Hawk’s gaze.

She felt lightheaded. “You kept it.”

“What?” he asked, his voice politely abrupt. “Kept what?”

“The pen I gave you.” Her voice trembled a little. “You’ve kept it all these years.”

His demeanor softened. “Are you really so surprised?”

She was. “I thought you would have purged yourself of anything that reminded you of me after we parted.”

“It was the last piece of you that I had,” he said. “The only part.”

“That isn’t true,” she returned without thinking. You had my heart all these years.

“I beg your pardon?” he said.

“I am so glad that you retained this token of our... friendship. I’m so pleased to have seen you again.”

He scrutinized her face. “Naila?” His voice was low, intimate. “What are you saying?”

She could not go into the future without settling this part of her past. “We have unfinished business.”

He swallowed hard. “We do?”

“Yes,” she said firmly. Maybe he was afraid to venture into this emotional minefield but it had to be done. “It must be dealt with before either of us can properly look to the future.”

“I still don’t quite take your meaning,” he said carefully.

“I am saying that we needed to see each other again in order to properly take our leave of each other,” she said, “to part as friends.”