Temptation Of A Governess

‘Lord Davenport.’

He surprised a slight, puzzled look in her eyes.

‘Is anything amiss?’

‘Your neckcloth...you are no longer in mourning?’

He put his hand up to the froth of white linen at his throat.

‘I shall always mourn my brother, but I decided it was time for a change.’ He wanted to say more, but the words would not come. All he could think of was how her simple cream gown enhanced her flame-red hair, which was pulled back from her face into a knot, almost tamed, save for a few silky curls that had escaped and now kissed the back of her neck. His eyes regarded that neck, noting the elegant way it rose from the folds of the muslin fichu covering her shoulders. Demure as a nun. Was that for his benefit?

‘Look, Uncle Alex, we have new gowns.’ Meggie was pulling at his sleeve. ‘Diana ordered them. Do we not look well?’

‘As fine as fivepence,’ he told the girls as they twirled before him.

‘They are ready to meet your guests, my lord, as soon as you wish me to send them downstairs.’

‘I wish you to bring them downstairs, Miss Grensham,’

‘There is no need for me—’

There is every need,’ he interrupted her. ‘You are as much their guardian as I am. In fact, more so,’ he added, ‘since you are in charge of their education.’

A mischievous gleam put to flight the rather anxious look he had seen in her eyes.

‘I think that rankles with you, my Lord Davenport.’

Alex’s lips twitched.

‘I am not deceived by your demure tone, Miss Grensham,’ he growled. ‘You revel in your superiority in this matter.’

‘That would be ignoble of me, sir.’

She was smiling, clearly more comfortable when they were teasing one another. As was he.

‘It would indeed,’ he replied gravely. He glanced down at his dusty boots. ‘I beg your pardon for appearing in all my dirt. I wanted to come up immediately to see the girls.’

The faint blush was on her cheek again but she spoke calmly enough.

‘Not at all, Lord Davenport, your eagerness to see your charges does you credit.’

* * *

Diana hoped he could not see how he discomposed her. From the moment she had heard his booted tread outside the door her heart had been racing. She would have liked to say it was from anger, or indignation, but she had to acknowledge the frisson of pleasure that ran through her at the thought of seeing the earl again. And when he had appeared, she had thought for an instant how much less severe he looked, but that might have been merely the fact that he was no longer wearing the black neckcloth, which had certainly heightened the glowering effect of his heavy black brows. Really, she must be desperate for adult companionship if she had been looking forward to this visit! That is what she told herself, but in her heart she suspected it was specifically Lord Davenport’s company she enjoyed. The verbal sparring. The kiss.

No!

As the children took their visitor to the table to show him their drawings she busied herself with gathering up the books and slates and putting them away. The kiss had nothing to do with it. That was a mistake, the result of too much wine, nothing else. She had been alone too long at Chantreys. Since the death of her sister and brother-in-law she had shut herself away too much with the children. That was all.

‘I must go and change.’ The earl’s voice broke into her thoughts. Diana turned to see that he was moving towards the door. ‘You will bring the children to join us after dinner, Miss Grensham.’

Diana would have preferred to send the girls downstairs with Nurse, but there was something in the earl’s tone that told her he would brook no defiance. She would not argue. At least not in front of her charges.

‘As you wish, my lord.’

The hard look he gave her suggested he was surprised by her meek acquiescence, but after regarding her silently for a long moment he gave a little nod and was gone. The girls ran about, chattering excitedly. For Meggie and Florence the hours could not pass quickly enough but it was quite the opposite for Diana, who could almost wish for a disaster to save her from the forthcoming ordeal.

* * *

At the appointed hour Diana accompanied her charges to the drawing room. There were seven persons awaiting her, three ladies and four gentlemen, including Lord Davenport. He had a voluptuous blonde at his side but it was not the lady’s striking beauty that drew Diana’s attention, it was the fact that she was standing rather closer to the earl than was necessary and had one hand resting possessively on his sleeve.

Resolutely Diana turned to the other two ladies in the room. The younger one was Miss Prentiss, a single lady with all the poise and confidence Diana lacked. She also had a rather strident voice and a harsh laugh that grated upon the ear. Her companion was considerably older. The young lady addressed her as Mrs Peters, not her mother then, but Diana guessed she was here to act as chaperon.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.