Matthew's Mask [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 3] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) (10 page)

“Do you have time to meet with Grantley this afternoon? I thought we could go over your papers and some estate matters.”

“Of course.” Matthew rose to follow him out of the library. “I trust he found everything in order?”

Gabriel nodded. “Yes, and Grantley is most thorough.”

They found the earl’s man-of-affairs in his tidy office on the main floor. He looked up when Gabriel rapped on the open door.

Matthew saw that Grantley was a good-looking man with thick, brown hair and blue eyes.

“Come in, my lord.” He stood. “A pleasure to meet you at last, Lord Lindhurst.”

Matthew bowed his head. “Likewise, Mr. Grantley. Lord Hawksfell said you have good news for me?”

Grantley smiled. “I do. Please sit, my lords.”

Gabriel and Matthew sat in chairs in front of his desk. Grantley did likewise. He looked from one to the other then smiled. “Forgive me, but the resemblance is remarkable.”

Gabriel seemed pleased by that. Perhaps he was happy to have a brother after all.

“Now, your papers are all in order. You shall receive a share of the Hawksfell estate as well, but the bulk of it remains in the hands of the eldest son.”

“As it should,” Matthew said. “I have no designs on the earl’s property. I’d just like a place of my own.”

“You have Lindhurst, do you not?” Gabriel asked.

“I do. But the place holds no fond memories for me.”

Gabriel looked as though he wanted to press him, but then turned back to Grantley. “I’d like to keep the viscount advised of all estate matters, Grantley. It is his family home now, too.”

It was Matthew’s turn to be surprised. “You want me to stay here?”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my brother.”

“It seems so simple when you phrase it that way,” Matthew said.

“It is. Lady Hawksfell and Michael have always impressed upon me the importance of family. I discovered a Hawk nearby just two months ago. Viscount Eyrdale, to be precise. That was quite fortuitous, wouldn’t you say so Grantley?”

Grantley’s cheeks reddened, but he nodded. “Indeed, my lord.”

“He is settled not too far away at Eyrdale Park with his new wife, Mary.”

At the mention of the woman’s name Grantley’s eyes filled with affection. Was the man smitten with the viscount’s wife? Even more astounding, another Hawk had married?

“Now, if you find the manor too confining, I’m sure we can find other properties for you to take up residence,” Gabriel went on.

“Trying to get rid of me so soon?” Matthew asked.

Gabriel smiled. “Not at all. I thought that if you should settle down in the future you might want a place of your own.”

Matthew studied the earl. Did he know about him and Posy and William? Or was he hoping Matthew would find some local gentry daughter to wed?

“That’s very generous. Thank you.”

Gabriel waved a hand. “Nonsense.” He stood. “I’ll leave you with Grantley to see to the particulars of your entitlements. I trust you’ll come to the ball, Grantley?”

“Of course, my lord.”

Gabriel’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “You’ll meet Viscount Eyrdale and his wife then, Matthew.”

The wording seemed odd, but Grantley merely nodded his assent. When Gabriel left, Matthew looked back at the man-of-affairs.

“How long have you been in the earl’s employ, Mr. Grantley?”

“More than three years, my lord.”

“And you handle the hiring of the staff?”

He tilted his head. “Yes.”

“You know from where they come, their prospects and references, yes?”

“Of course.” Grantley templed his fingers and leaned forward. “Why do you ask?”

Matthew ran his finger over the crease of his trousers. “No particular reason. I just wondered at the workings of a great house, is all.”

“Do you have any complaints regarding the staff, my lord?”

“None. I wondered about a certain maid. I know that she came from a farm and that this is her first job in service.”

Grantley leaned back. “You speak of Posy.”

Matthew’s cheeks heated. “I know she hasn’t been here very long.”

“Long enough, it seems.”

“What do you mean?”

Grantley appeared to consider his words. “It’s not my place to trade in gossip, my lord. Posy hasn’t the most sterling reputation.”

Matthew felt a flash of anger. “Because she pleased the earl? Tell me, is there a maid under this roof who hasn’t?”

“You misunderstand me. I’m not impugning Posy, just advising you to be careful.”

“Because she’s with another.”

Grantley’s eyes widened. “You know of it, then.”

Matthew nodded. “I do.” He didn’t say more.

Grantley studied him then nodded. “I see.”

“What, precisely, do you see?” Matthew asked.

“It’s not my place to pry or criticize.” He gave a half smile. “In more ways than you know.”

“That’s very cryptic for a man known for his precise and thorough nature.”

“Please don’t get angry, my lord. I merely meant that the matters of the heart, or hearts, are none of my concern.”

“I admit you have me quite baffled.”

Grantley shrugged and turned to the stack of papers on his desk. “Perhaps we’ll talk more about this at another time, my lord. Let us delve into this paperwork so we can both get on with our afternoon. I would like to get home early this evening.”

“Home? You don’t live here?”

“I used to. I had rooms above the carriage house.”

“And not now? Why?”

Grantley gave that odd half smile again. “I’m settled not too far away.”

The wording echoed what Gabriel had said about Viscount Eyrdale and his new wife. He eyed Grantley as the other man bent his head over the papers on his desk. Was he involved with the newly-wedded couple? No. That couldn’t be.

“Now, here you’ll see money transferred into your account from the escrow,” Grantley went on. “I have to say, your coffers were in very good shape before their addition.”

He glanced at the numbers on the tally sheet and nodded. “I never let my uncle touch my money.”

Grantley blinked at him. “But he was a Hawk as well. Did he not have funds of his own?”

“He did, and he spread them as widely as he did his seed.” He winced. “Forgive me, Mr. Grantley.”

Grantley raised a hand. “No need. I’m glad you became your own man despite his upbringing, then.”

“What do you know of my uncle?”

“In my work with the earl, it’s part of my job to know the whereabouts and conditions of any Hawk relatives. He prefers that they comport themselves without the reckless abandon that his father—I’m sorry, your father—did.”

“That’s why he welcomed me here?” A bitter taste filled his mouth. “To rein in my rampant Hawk behavior?”

“Not entirely, no. He wasn’t dissembling when he spoke of family. It’s very important to him.”

Matthew felt a good sight better at that declaration. “And I’m grateful to him for the warm welcome.”

Grantley nodded again, and they went over the estate’s properties and particulars. After about an hour Matthew had had enough, though.

“What say we continue this another day?” he asked.

“If you like, my lord.”

Matthew stood. “I enjoyed meeting you, Mr. Grantley. I hope to talk with you at the ball next week.”

“I’ll be there.”

With Viscount Eyrdale and his wife?
He longed to ask that question. To get another man’s opinion on these particular matters of the heart. He supposed he could go to Gabriel, but he just didn’t feel close enough to him yet.

“Thank you,” he said instead.

He left Grantley’s office and headed upstairs to ready for dinner.

Chapter 10

William readied Matthew’s things for the coming evening. They’d managed to find pleasure over the past few days but never with their Posy between them. That night in this room, her body up against the wall as he licked every drop of juice from her pussy, had been astounding. Matthew had fingered him as she’d sucked him, and he’d been nearly torn in half. What they’d shared afterward, paired in different ways, had wrung so much pleasure out of him he’d nearly overslept and missed the first bell of the morning.

Posy had been very busy, and the few times he’d seen her she’d looked a bit frazzled. She wouldn’t shirk her duties, though. It was enough that the countess didn’t like her. She wouldn’t have Mrs. Holmes doubting her proficiency.

“William,” Matthew said as he entered the room.

“Yes, my lord.”

Matthew grinned. “There is no one about, William.”

“Matthew, then,” he said with a smile.

“It seems preparations continue for this blasted ball of my brother’s. Have you seen her at all?”

William shook his head. “I admit, I miss her.”

“Do you think about that night? Right here? In and out of my bed?”

“Always.”

Matthew slid him a hot look. “I want her again. I want to lick her and fuck her and watch her fuck you. What does that make me, do you suppose? Greedy?”

“If so, than so am I.”

Matthew arched a brow. “I spoke with Mr. Grantley today. What do you know about him?”

William looked away. As close as he felt toward Matthew over these past weeks, he wasn’t comfortable discussing manor business. “He’s worked for the earl for three years.”

“Yes, so he said.” Matthew removed his jacket, and William held out his evening one. He shrugged into it. “There is something there, though. When I asked about the other new Hawk, Viscount Eyrdale, he went all red. And when I asked after his wife…” He shrugged.

“His wife is Mary, Matthew. A former maid here at the manor.”

Matthew’s mouth dropped open. “Never say that!” He appeared to contemplate something then nodded. “That explains a lot, then. I think Mr. Grantley has a soft spot for the viscount’s wife. Were they together before she took up with the viscount?”

“Not to my knowledge, no.”

“You know something more than you’re saying.”

“He knows all of it,” Posy said from the doorway.

“Posy!” Matthew grinned and went to her. “Come in, love. We’ve missed you.”

She eyed William, and he saw the doubt in her eyes. “You, too, William?”

“Yes, love.”

He used the endearment in its purest intent, and she must have sensed that. Her mouth curved into a smile.

“Then show me.” She walked around the room, trailing her fingers over the low dresser holding some of Matthew’s things. “I just know you two have been up to mischief without me.”

“No mischief.” Matthew took her in his arms. “We’ve shared pleasure, yes. But we’re both craving a taste of you.”

She leaned against the dresser. “Truly?” Her eyes looked very hungry now. “Then please do.”

William’s cock began to pound. “Posy, there is little time for everything I want to do with you on that dresser.”

Matthew cupped his cock and let out a grunt. “I can smell you already.”

She flashed a cheeky grin and lifted her skirts. She didn’t have any drawers on.

“God.” Matthew grabbed her ass and buried his face in her cunt. She leaned back on her elbows as he lifted her legs up over his shoulders. “You’re so damned sweet!”

William watched as Matthew sucked on her clit. He moved first one then two fingers in and out of her swollen pussy as she writhed beneath him.

“Yes!” she cried, bucking hard now.

Matthew groaned as she flooded his mouth with juices William could almost taste. He unfastened his trousers and stroked his cock as he watched her come against Matthew’s tongue.

Matthew straightened, and he saw William’s hand on his cock. He freed his own and stroked it long and hard. “Look what you do to us, love.”

Posy stepped down off the dresser and let her skirts fall back down. “That’s a shame, because it’s almost time for dinner service.”

“Like hell.” Matthew grabbed her and turned her around. He bent her over until her hands were braced on the wood. With a quick movement, he flipped up her skirts and drove into her from behind.

“Oh!” she cried.

William shifted one of her arms and slipped in front of her. Her mouth was a hairsbreadth away from his cock. “Suck me, Posy.”

She covered him with her mouth and let out a low moan. Matthew continued to fuck her hard as she teased and licked his cock. He saw the determination on Matthew’s face, along with that passion that had first drawn him to him. These two together…William leaned back and let her take all of him.

“I’m going to come, love,” Matthew bit out. “God, you feel so damned good.”

She sucked harder, and William felt his orgasm start. He began to shake. He wrapped his hand around his shaft as he came in hot spurts down her throat. When she lifted her head at last, she smiled before biting her lip.