One Night with Prince Charming by Anna DePalo Page B

theater world. I’m betting you’ve never planned a wedding for an actress before?”
    Pia shook her head.
    â€œThen Lucy’s wedding will let you tap into a whole new market for your services.”
    â€œWh-who would be employing me?”
    She hated herself for asking—and hated herself more for stammering—but the question came out of its own volition. Rather than appear satisfied, however, Hawk’s expression turned into a study of harmlessness.
    â€œI’d be employing you, but only as a minor, technical detail.”
    â€œMinor to you.”
    â€œI’m the head of the family, and Lucy is young—only twenty-four.” Hawk’s lips twitched. “It seems only fair that I support her bid to remove herself from under the imposing family umbrella. Lucy was an unexpected bonus for my parents more than a decade after my mother delivered the heir and the spare.”
    Pia noted that Hawk had deftly turned an act that might be viewed as generous and loving on his part into a statement of sardonic self-deprecation.
    She started to waver. She had liked Hawk’s sister even on the basis of a very brief acquaintance. She felt a natural affinity for Lucy. It had deepened on learning that Hawk’s sister was only three years younger than she was. Lucy was, in fact, the same age that Pia had been when she’d first met Hawk.
    If her own tale with Hawk wasn’t destined to have a happy ending, then at least she could see to it that one Carsdale…
    No, she wouldn’t let herself think of matters in that vein.
    â€œYou’ll be dealing with Lucy mostly, obviously,” Hawk continued, his expression open and unmasked. “I’ll try to make myself as unobtrusive as possible.”
    â€œH-how?” Pia asked. “Are you planning to sequester yourself at your country estate in England?”
    â€œNothing so drastic,” Hawk replied with amusement, “but, rest assured, I have no interest in weddings.”
    â€œObviously—judging from your past behavior.”
    â€œOuch.” He had the grace to look abashed. “I stepped right into that comment, and I suppose I deserved it.”
    She raised her eyebrows and said nothing.
    â€œThe town house belongs to me,” Hawk went on unperturbed, “but Lucy has had the run of it since I haven’t been in regular residence until recently. And though I’m based in New York, rather than London, for business at the moment, I expect that my corporate dealings will still mean I’m not much at home.”
    Pia knew all about Hawk’s hedge fund, of course. She’d read about it online. The success of his company over the past three years had raised his reputation to that of a first-class financier.
    Darn. He must have women throwing themselves at him.
    Not that she was interested, of course.
    Pia wondered why Hawk was at home now, actually. The thought had occurred to her earlier, too—the minute he’d walked into the parlor. It could only be that he’d chosen to come into her meeting with Lucy, possibly betting that once she said yes to his sister, it would be best to reveal his connection to Lucy sooner rather than later.
    Hawk arched an eyebrow. “And so…?”
    Pia regarded him.
    â€œI make you nervous, don’t I?”
    â€œN-naturally. I have a fear of snakes.”
    He grinned, unabashed.
    â€œThe endearing hiccup in your speech tells me everything I need to know about how much I affect you,” he said, his voice smooth as silk and doubly seductive.
    Pia felt a shiver of awareness chase down her spine for amoment, but then Hawk’s face changed to one as innocuous as a Boy Scout’s.
    â€œOf course,” he went on solemnly, “we’ll say no more on that topic. I plan to be on my best behavior from now on.”
    â€œPromise? Really?” she parried.
    Before Hawk could reply, the library door opened. Lucy stuck her head