Governesses Under The Mistletoe: The Runaway Governess / The Governess's Secret Baby

‘So,’ she said. ‘You will not do your duty while I am in this bed.’

He nudged her foot. ‘Duty. That word is hideous.’ He stood. ‘Move over.’

‘I thought you said...’

‘Duty has nothing to do with it. Share the mattress.’

‘There is not room in this bed for two people. It only holds me.’

‘I noticed. Give me some room.’ One knee on the bed, he wedged himself in beside her, tossing the covers away and rolling her to face him. ‘See, it holds two people, except for my feet.’ He moved one leg up and draped it over her thigh and adjusted close. The same delicate scent he’d noticed when he’d walked into the room engulfed him. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the soirée. I didn’t either.’

‘I thought Lady Howell’s invitation sincere.’

‘It was—for her. If it makes you feel better, she has called me a tosspot and I believe she called my father a lovestruck chit.’

‘It doesn’t. Now I feel sad for you and your father. Well, for your father.’ She snuggled. ‘Are you a tosspot?’

‘Who knows?’ He shrugged.

Chapter Eleven

Arms tightened around her, embracing her so completely she could feel nothing but maleness and heartbeats. A wall of strength caressing her with the lightest touch. She’d never felt so safe.

Her hand clasped his side, over the cloth of his shirt, and her fingertips brushed back and forth, the friction the cloth created under her hand bringing his skin alive to her touch. ‘Do you think you are a tosspot?’

‘You are intent on that question.’

‘And you do not wish to answer.’

His chest moved with a slow intake of breath, giving her room to get closer and yet, when he breathed out, she remained burrowed against him. ‘I drink more than many, but not as much as I did. Several years ago, I noticed my friends were sotted every night and I was there as often as not.’

The room was silent before he continued, his words pulling her inside his thoughts. ‘I wondered if I could go a fortnight without drink. On the sixth day, I was at the club and the scent of spirits lingered in the air so much I could think of nothing else. I was surrounded by desire for it. I ached for it.’

He stopped speaking. She pressed at his side. ‘Well?’

‘Sylvester put a drink in front of me and I sat with it for hours. But I refused. I went to Sophia’s and slept a few hours until morning and then drank chocolate while I waited for her to wake. I drank possibly three glasses in three hours of waiting for my sister who’d decided to sleep in. Luckily, her cook makes very good chocolate.’

‘I didn’t like it so well as what the cook makes here. Your sister’s burns the mouth.’

‘Ah, yes. It’s very good.’

‘Did you finish the fortnight?’

‘Of course. I didn’t doubt it. I refused to let my want for it overcome what I truly desired and my biggest want was to be in control of the liquid. I didn’t have to drink. Since then I have not felt as if it matters so much whether I have drink or not. On occasion, I even have a child’s drink called milk. I have also discovered that one of my servants can take a jug to a home just outside of town and find water that tastes wondrous and refreshes my thirst better than anything. It is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.’ He laughed. ‘I can be as particular about the water I drink as some men are about their brandy. Makes all the difference. Even the tea is better.’

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