Hawksfell Manor 05: Graham's Game Read Online Free Page B

Weston,” the earl said with a slight smile.
    Graham blinked. Aside from the hair, it was like looking in a mirror. “Lord Hawksfell.”
    Carstairs closed the door as he left, and the earl waved toward the armchair facing the desk. “Sit, please. And call me Gabriel.”
    Graham smiled. “Gabriel. Then you must call me Graham.”
    Gabriel sat, and Graham did likewise.
    “So another Hawk cousin has accepted my invitation.”
    “I’ll admit I was curious to meet you, Gabriel. My friend Mr. Spencer told me of some interesting developments up here at the manor over the past few months.” He winked. “And something about the previous few years?”
    Gabriel’s cheeks flushed, and then he shook his head. “I take it Mr. Spencer lives in the local environs?”
    He smiled. “Not far, yes.”
    “And the two of you are close?”
    Graham managed to nod.
    Gabriel narrowed his eyes, and for a moment Graham felt like he could see through his smile to his own uncertainty about this whole visit. Had he been wrong to come here?
    Gabriel smiled himself and gave a sharp nod, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve had your things put in a room in the bachelor wing, yours and Mr. Spencer’s as well. I’d like to clarify the misconceptions about my life here at the manor, Graham.”
    Graham held up a hand. “You owe me no explanations, Gabriel. You are the head of this family, really. I feel honored that you wished to extend this invitation. I look forward to getting to know you and your family.”
    Gabriel’s smile was warmer now. “My family, yes. I’ll admit the curse ruled me before I fell in love.”
    “I daresay I cannot wait to meet your countess.”
    “My brother lives on the property as well, and you now have cousins situated not so far away. More Hawks, as it were.”
    “So Colin told me.” It was passing strange that so many Hawks seemed to have found some sort of life for themselves in the shadow of the manor, but Graham wasn’t going to pretend that such a life was meant for him. “It’s commendable, I suppose.”
    “Commendable?” Gabriel frowned. “Marriage is far more than commendable, Graham. It can be most preferable to what life was like before.”
    “And I’m quite certain it suits you and your brother.” Graham felt flustered, feeling his façade slipping a bit. “And our Hawk cousins, I suppose.”
    “Then you’ve never been tempted to get leg-shackled?”
    Graham laughed, forcing a bit more frivolity into the sound than he felt. “Hardly! You’re a Hawk, Gabriel. We fuck. It’s what we do. It’s what we have to do.”
    “I’m not denying that.” Gabriel’s expression smoothed. “My staff is at your disposal. Yours and Mr. Spencer’s.”
    Graham’s mouth dropped open. “Then it’s all true? You fuck your staff?”
    “I fucked my staff. Often and out of necessity. That’s changed for me.”
    “And yet, they are still…” He couldn’t bring himself to say what he was thinking. They were chattel meant to ease the earl and nothing more?
    “They are my staff, Graham. Loyal and discreet. I no longer require their sensual service, as it were. That doesn’t mean that if they are of like mind you cannot avail yourself to one…or more of them.”
    Again, the image of the little green-eyed maid popped into his mind. Her skin had flushed when he’d passed close to her. He’d seen the smooth skin of her cheek, her throat, turn pink and watched her full lips part. Would she let him fuck her? Would she let Colin?
    “I thank you then, Gabriel.” He cleared his throat. “For your hospitality, of course.”
    “You are very welcome.” Gabriel came to his feet. “Perhaps you can find a way to break your own curse. It’s been known to happen.”
    Graham stood and shook the earl’s hand. “I have no such illusions.”
    Gabriel looked as though he was going to say something more, to wax poetic of marriage and how delightful it was to have one person forever. Then he gave another nod