One Night with Prince Charming (Aristocratic Grooms #2)(43)
Author: Anna DePalo

Hawk laughed but it was filled with a note of self-derision. “I wonder that myself.”

He was in love with Pia, and he was unworthy of her.

He’d been so intent on defending Pia to his mother that he’d stumbled upon an important realization.

He loved Pia.

Suddenly everything seemed so simple and clear.

“James?”

Hawk looked at his mother. “Yes?”

“You seem lost in thought.”

“Or perhaps simply lost.”

His mother stood. “Well, quite clearly I’ve misread matters.”

“Never mind, Mother. It’s nothing that can’t be put to rights.”

He hoped.

Hawk knew there were a few things he needed to clarify with Michelene.

And then he needed to find Pia.

If it wasn’t too late, and he hadn’t hopelessly botched things, this time for good…

Pia had every reason to believe that Lucy’s wedding would be the worst day of her life—or near to it. In all likelihood, this day would be Michelene and Hawk’s appearance as a couple, if not the announcement of their engagement.

Who else would Hawk take to his sister’s wedding but his future bride? It made eminent sense.

One thing was certain: he would not be escorting her, Pia. She was working, and she supposed Hawk’s days playing her gofer or man Friday were over.

Hawk’s mother, the dowager duchess, would no doubt be eager to segue from seeing one of her children walk down the aisle to seeing the other married—especially when the other was the current Duke of Hawkshire.

But as the day progressed, it became clear that Michelene wouldn’t materialize—Hawk had come alone to the wedding.

Still, Pia refused to read too much into that, and distracted herself with work.

Thankfully, Hawk didn’t approach her. She wasn’t sure what she would do if he did.

Instead, he remained busy at the reception, speaking with various guests and exchanging pleasantries with others.

Pia couldn’t help wondering if he’d relegated her to being simply the hired help and no more these days. The thought hurt.

Nevertheless, she hungrily absorbed all her glimpses of him, storing them away for a time when she’d no longer see him.

He looked so handsome and attractive tonight that she ached.

Still, by the end of the evening, Pia was weary enough to want the night to end—if only so she wouldn’t have to maintain appearances in front of Hawk and everyone else.

She had just walked out of the loftlike reception room when she heard her name called out behind her.

“Pia.”

She turned around, but she already knew who it was.

Hawk.

He walked toward her, still looking impeccable in a navy suit and silver-gray tie as the evening was drawing to a close.

She looked at the clock. It was nearing midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Too bad this Cinderella couldn’t disappear quite yet. She’d worn a simple light blue strapless dress and matching heels. But she didn’t have a carriage, or even a car. And the wedding was slated to continue until one.

Still, she didn’t think she could speak to Hawk right now.

She had to get away…get some air. Anything.

“I—I was just—”

He quirked a brow. “Leaving?”

Damn him. How dare he look so composed when he was the reason she was upset?

“I was taking a moment to compose myself,” she replied with halfhearted honesty. “I was going to touch up my makeup.”

Where was a ladies’ room when one was needed? It was the only place where she knew Hawk wouldn’t be following her.

“Why?” He surveyed her. “You look perfect.”

Except for the fact that her heart was a wreck.

She sighed. “That’s what women do, Hawk. They freshen up. Powder their nose…touch up their lipstick…”

“Why? Expecting someone to kiss you?”

She stared at him mutely. How could he be so heartless?

“Why disappear now?” he persisted. “It’s almost midnight.”

That was the point. She didn’t want everyone to witness that she had no one to kiss—not even a frog. Okay, she had some excuse in that she was on the job, but still… With Hawk in the room—who knew the truth of her circumstances—that helped little.

“Isn’t it customary for people to don boas and crowns and blow noisemakers? Why fix your hair when it’ll get messed up anyway?” He moved a little, and Pia belatedly noticed that he was holding a small bag. “In fact, I brought some items for you.”

“It was considerate of you to think of me,” she said, wondering why they were having this inane conversation.

She had no plans to blow a horn or kiss anybody.

Hawk gave a little smile. “I thought it was considerate, too.”

Pia thought it was too bad there wasn’t another platter of hors d’oeuvres nearby.

How much would it cost her to precipitate another incident at a wedding?

Too much. She couldn’t afford it.

Hawk reached into the bag he was holding and pulled out a jeweled headpiece.

It took Pia a moment to realize the tiara wasn’t one of those plastic jewel concoctions that everyone wore on New Year’s Eve, but the real thing.

Her brain slowed, her mind caught in a moment of disbelief.

The diamond tiara in Hawk’s hand had a swirl pattern and was of equal thickness all around. Large diamonds also dangled within the swirls.

Hawk’s smile was tender and thoughtful.

Her eyes, wide with shock, remained fastened on his as he moved to settle the tiara on her upswept hair.

It was the first time in Pia’s life she’d ever worn a real tiara—though she’d donned plenty of make-believe ones, especially in her dreams.

“There,” he murmured, easing back, his eyes meeting hers. “I have pins to anchor it in place. I’ve been told it’s wise to do so, though I have no idea how to go about it.”

Pia swallowed hard.

“I wasn’t sure what color you’d be wearing,” Hawk said, his voice low and deep. “So I decided to go with a sure bet. The Carsdale Diamond tiara.”

She sucked in a breath, her brain refusing to function.

“G-good choice.”

Just inside the reception room, the guests continued their dancing and merriment, waiting for the countdown to the new year and heedless of the two people standing just outside one of the exits.

“It’s the traditional tiara worn by Carsdale brides,” Hawk said, his voice laden with meaning. “It was worn by my mother on her wedding day.”