Matthew's Mask [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 3] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) by Josie Dennis Page A

she shook her head. “I’ll never be free of it.”
    “Of what?” He touched her chin and lifted her face. His dark Hawk eyes were intent. “What’s troubling you?”
    She blinked back tears she couldn’t seem to stop. “It’s all my doing, of course. Cheeky parlormaid, flirting with every groom and footman. Worldly lover boasting of how many times the earl had her. And now I’m well and truly stuck.” She sniffed and rubbed a hand over her running nose. “And out of a job, most likely.”
    He took her hands in his. “Your hands are ice cold.”
    Drawing her closer, he wrapped her in his arms. He felt solid and warm, and she fought the urge to sink into him.
    “Tell me what you’re talking about, love,” he said.
    “Love.” The word was like a cruel taunt. She laughed without humor. “Love? Oh, what do I know about love?”
    He looked down the long hallway she’d run then back down at her. “Where were you just now?”
    “With the countess. I had to see to her tonight, and she wasn’t pleased.”
    “Come into my room.” He drew her into his room and shut the door. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”
    “Don’t you see? My lies have painted me with a stain so dark I can never be clean.”
    He tilted a half-smile at her. “Now that’s very maudlin.”
    Her lips turned up at the corners. “It’s true, nonetheless. I’m a whore in her ladyship’s eyes, and she won’t want me at the manor any longer.”
    “How many times were you with my brother?”
    She shook her head. “I’ve never been with the earl.”
    His eyes rounded. “Truly?”
    She sniffed. “You see? Everyone believes I’m a randy miss ready for a tumble. It’s what William thinks. And you, too, after the other night.”
    “No, Posy. You were a virgin when I took you at the inn.”
    “So I was.” He’d introduced her to passion, and she’d taken to it with enthusiasm. “What difference does that make now?”
    He stared at her for a beat. “You never slept with my brother, then?”
    She could hear the thread of hope in his voice and shook her head. “I eased him with my hand. One time. I boasted that he couldn’t get enough of me, though.” She rubbed her nose again. The tip was getting sore. “I don’t know why, but I liked the attention it got me.”
    “The gossip?”
    She shrugged. “It made me special, I guess. I was almost forgotten on my grandparents’ farm. It was nice to have attention. William seemed intrigued enough to give me a tumble.”
    Matthew shook his head. “William doesn’t just tumble you, Posy. I know it.”
    “What can you know? You’ve been here mere days, and I fell in with you right away. What does that make me if not a whore?”
    He winced, and he held her close again. “Posy, you’re not a whore. I took your virtue, and you were then with William.” He chuckled, his chest vibrating against her cheek. “And with me again. That doesn’t make you a whore.”
    “I was with William after you, too. The other night.”
    “I know.”
    “How do you know?” She bit her lip. “Never say you heard of it!”
    “William told me.”
    “He told you?” She pulled back to stare up at him. His cheeks reddened. Had his conversation with William been that embarrassing? Or worse, had they argued? “Why? When?”
    “He knew we were together and told me he was with you after.”
    Her throat grew tight. “I am a fool, then. I gave myself to you both, yet there’s no future for me with either of you.”
    He grew quiet, and she wished she could pull back her words.
    “A future?” he asked.
    She froze then pulled out of his grasp. “I didn’t mean to say that!” she cried. “Please don’t think I’m trying to trap you, my lord.”
    He scowled. “Don’t call me that, damn it!”
    She gasped.
    “I’m sorry.” He took a breath. “Look, I don’t know what my own future holds, but I want you to be in my life.”
    “Oh, you do?” She put on her best randy expression and eyed him up and