Hawksfell Manor 05: Graham's Game Read Online Free

didn’t know what drove him, but it wasn’t her place to wonder was it?
    She left the countess’s room and headed back down to the servants’ hall. As she entered the common room, Mrs. Holmes stopped her.
    “Guests, Lily.” Mrs. Holmes smoothed her apron and patted her hair. “The earl’s cousin is approaching on the drive.”
    Lily mimicked the housekeeper’s motions and straightened her appearance by touch. She was needed out front on the drive with the other servants to welcome their newest visitor. “Yes, Mrs. Holmes.”
    Mrs. Holmes flashed a quick smile then shook her head. “I daresay there are more Hawks in Yorkshire than heather on the moors.”
    With that, the older woman left Lily to hurry up and out the front door. An impressive motor approached, the late afternoon sun glinting off the fenders. Lily found her place next to the earl’s valet, Grayson. She idly noted he looked as finely turned out as Cabot and the other footman ever were. His gaze was fixed forward and his posture stiff. She mirrored his stance, grateful for the perpetuation of propriety in the sight line of both Mrs. Holmes and Mr. Carstairs, the butler. She valued this position and wouldn’t let Cabot’s teasing or her own foolish worries put it in jeopardy.
    The sun was bright on this side of the house, thank goodness. There was little breeze, so it felt more crisp than cold on this November afternoon. She watched with deference but not much interest as the motor came to a quiet stop and the chauffeur stepped out. Yes, she was safe here at Hawksfell Manor. There was nothing or no one to change that situation. That resolve slipped as one of the prettiest men she’d ever seen stepped out onto the drive.
    He had dark hair, perhaps as dark as the earl’s, but that was where the comparison ended. This couldn’t be the new Hawk! His features were finely wrought, and he was tall and well-built, but not nearly as large a man as all the Hawks she’d seen. His coat was of fine gray wool and spanned broad shoulders. He moved with grace as he straightened, flashing a polite smile at the assembled servants. Lily’s heart gave a flutter as his blue eyes ran over her. She caught his gaze and saw that his smile didn’t show in his eyes. No. In fact, he looked quite reserved. Sad, almost. She bit her lip and his brows rose. Oh, he was a risk she didn’t need to take.
    “Ah, the fine manor and its staff,” said a deep voice.
    Lily turned her attention to the large man stepping out behind the pretty one. Her heart increased its palpitations. Oh, this man in the long black coat was the Hawk most certainly. Those chiseled cheeks, that cleft chin, marked him as the earl’s cousin. His hair was sun streaked instead of dark and brushed carelessly back from his forehead, but there was no mistaking the dark Hawk eyes set in his breathtakingly handsome face. Her fluttering heart dropped clear to her stomach.
    She gasped, drawing his attention as well. He threw a cheeky grin in her direction, and she saw that he smiled with his entire being. He was apparently as carefree as his companion was reserved. The contrast between the two virile men caused her breath to catch. Her body tingled, and her corset suddenly felt too tight. Despite the chill, beads of sweat popped out on her chest as she flushed.
    “Welcome to Hawksfell Manor, my lord,” Carstairs said with a bow. “I am Carstairs, the butler.”
    This new Hawk mimicked his bow, and Lily saw Mrs. Holmes hide a smile behind her hand. He was a charmer to be sure, and apparently no woman was immune.
    “Graham Hawk, Mr. Carstairs,” he said. “Viscount Weston, actually. And this is my good friend Mr. Spencer.”
    The butler bowed to the viscount’s friend. “The earl awaits you in his study. Will your chauffeur be staying at the manor?”
    “He’s my chauffeur,” Mr. Spencer said. “And no, he’ll return to Spencer House directly.”
    Lily thought about that for a moment. This Hawk’s good