“You are jumping ahead of yourself, aren’t you?”
Skye’s smile was troubled. “I suppose so. There are still so many issues to be resolved between them. I just wish it were over and they could live happily ever after.”
“You need to control your impatience.”
“Aunt Bella told me something similar.”
She glanced around them at the peaceful meadow. The bordering woods were shedding their leaves in a profusion of color. “This place is lovely.”
Rather than agree, Hawk appeared eager to return to his training. “Do you have any other need of me?”
“Actually, I do. I wanted to warn you, we will be eating in the dining room this evening. It is only polite to offer your houseguests a table to dine on, and it will also spare the servants having to carry dishes all the way to the drawing room.”
“I consider myself warned.”
“Then may we count on you to join us?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I realize you might prefer to eat and even sleep in the stables, but my uncle will be pleased to meet you and become better acquainted.”
Hawk ignored her teasing. “If there is nothing else … my horse gets fractious from standing too long.” As if on cue the stallion started prancing and dancing sideways. Hawk clearly wanted to return to work.
“May I stay to watch you?” Skye asked.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve never seen anything so fascinating—and because I want you to have company.”
His mouth twisted sardonically. “You are coddling me again, wretch. I told you there is no need.”
“But I have a need to be sure you are not moping,” she declared, keeping her tone light.
The gray eyes showed a fleeting flash of amusement, which quickly disappeared. “I am not moping—and no, you may not stay to watch me.”
Skye persevered. “I can understand why you flee your home every chance you get, but it is not good for you to spend so much time alone.”
“Being alone suits me.”
“Aren’t you ever lonely?”
A shadow crossed his features. “I don’t allow myself to feel loneliness. Now if you are quite done …?” He closed his hands on the reins, preparing to turn away.
“I am not done trying to reform your reclusive habits, although I know it will take time. If I have learned anything from my own family, it’s that men are foolishly hardheaded and stubborn sometimes, and it takes a woman to knock some sense into them.”
Hawk narrowed his gaze on her. “Don’t you have work to do at the castle?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Then shouldn’t you be keeping your uncle company?”
“He is occupied with Rachel and marveling at his good fortune at having found her alive after so long.”
“Then pray go find someone else to pester,” Hawk snapped.
“And to think you just told me to be patient.”
When real vexation claimed his expression, Skye surrendered. “Very well, I am going before you growl at me any further.”