“Noteveryone.” Iris shoved her sister and called her a goose. Their governess stepped between them before the two came to blows.
“Now, now. Fisticuffs are not part of our lesson today.”
“What about fencing?” Iris blurted with a mischievous twinkle in her blue eyes.
“That is next week,” Miss Halliday said with a wink. “Right after you finish your watercolors.”
Emily giggled into her hand, and Iris cheered. Both knew very well none of them would ever be allowed to wield blades. Since both girls had gotten in shots at one another, and neither had really been scolded, they returned to discussing the collies without further incident.
Colin shared a secret smile with Miss Halliday over their heads. She was nothing like the governesses or tutors his father had hired to teach him and his younger brothers. Perhaps if the educators had been quicker to laugh and easier with the rod, Colin would have been more interested in his lessons.
Aside from discussing the working dog’s role on a farm, Miss Halliday turned their brief stop to pet the puppies into a lesson on mammals—and how they were different from reptiles, birds, and amphibians. She asked the older girls to apply what they learned to determine if lambs, puppies, and babies were all mammals. Caroline and Nora were the two naysayers in the group, pronouncing it impossible when they looked nothing alike.
The group had moved out into the field where the youngest were practicing their numbers by counting sheep when Mrs. Browning came to the fence. “It is time for supper,” she called.
Miss Halliday waved to the nanny and dismissed her students. “I should gather my belongings and return to Danby Castle.”
When she tried to duck past Colin, he gently captured her arm. “Must you go?”
He’d been hoping for a moment alone with her to determine if their wishes for the future might be in alignment.
She blinked, taking in the sight of his hand around her wrist before raising her gaze toward him. Confusion clouded her brown eyes. “I know it is an unusual arrangement, my lord. As governess, I should have a room at Blackwood, but my sister will give birth any day. I promise to be at your nieces’ disposal once she does.”
“That was not my meaning. I understand your sister needs you.” He lifted her wrist to entwine the fingers of his free hand with hers, wishing he could feel her skin against his. “But I would like to speak with you.”
Her eyes grew round. “Wh-why?”
He could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. Her labored breath matched his own. With her near, his heart thumped vigorously. He felt more alive than he ever had, and he yearned to hold her. As if a magnetic force drew him, he swayed toward her.
Her eyes widened even more. “M-my lord, I d-do not understand. H-have I done something w-wrong?”
Evidence of her alarm broke the spell he’d been under. She only stuttered when she was anxious, and he hadn’t intended to upset her. He released her hand and moved to a respectable distance. “Forgive me, Miss Halliday. I forgot myself. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
The wrinkling of her brow displayed her confusion. She crossed her arms, hugging herself tightly.
Damnation. He was a bloody imbecile. Obviously, she did not share the attraction he felt, and while he’d been entertaining the possibilities of what might be growing between them, their daily excursions with his nieces were simply part of her duties. He should cancel the meeting with his banker, fulfill his agreement with Danby, and put the past couple of weeks behind him. It would be the least difficult path to travel, but he didn’t want simple. He wanted her.
“Are you content at Blackwood?” he asked.
Her head snapped up. “Of course, my lord. I have been treated very well.”
“You obviously have a love for teaching, and you get on well with my nieces.”
“Th-they are delightful.” Behind her eyes, a war seemed to be waging; confusion and fear threatened to send her dashing for the castle. “Are you certain I’ve done nothing wrong? Is Lady Blackwood displeased? If I have offended her—”
“You needn’t be concerned about your performance. You are marvelous.”
“Oh.” Her mouth formed a perfect puckered little circle, and all he could think about was kissing her. It threatened to drive all other thoughts from his head.
He swallowed hard. “I enjoy our time together very much, Miss Halliday. I wonder if you might feel the same.”
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. The air grew heavy, vibrating like a plucked violin string as he held his breath, awaiting her response. A spark of desire darkened her cocoa brown eyes and fanned the flames of his own need. Neither of them looked away. They seemed locked in this moment and careening toward an end that could not be undone.
He cleared his throat, but his voice still sounded husky when he spoke. “If you do not wish for me to kiss you, perhaps you should go.”
She slowly uncrossed her arms and allowed them to hang at her sides.
“Now,” he snarled, unintentionally harsh.
