CHAPTER3
It was not the introduction Leo had imagined, but he supposed it would have to suffice. In fact, he’d not imagined introducing them at all, but after the last batch of school rejections and with no one coming to interview for his posted position, how could he not at least try with the governess that had fallen into his lap?
The woman didn’t know his title or his past, and while the thought of deceiving her sparked guilt, it didn’t compare to the guilt he felt for dooming Elizabeth’s future with his mere presence. Damn, but he could scarcely look at Lizzy without images of death flashing in his mind’s eye. What could he possibly say to her that would make up for what he’d done?
Despite everything, however, the girl seemed drawn to him. She would appear at his side, play in his study… It was all the more reason that she must go to school: she deserved so much better than he could give.
With a giggle, Lizzy released him and bounded toward Miss Smith’s chair, lifting on her toes to examine the woman.Shite. Would that it was socially acceptable for Leo to do the same. He’d study the precise shade of her eyes, the arch of her brows, touch the underside of her wrists and feel her pulse there… Hell, he would devote himself to learning all of her.
Returning to his seat, Leo surreptitiously bent to tug up his stocking and fasten the ribbon, then watched as the little sprite touched the woman’s hands and skirts. Her fingertips grazed Miss Smith’s skin, circling each knuckle and trailing along the slender line of her fingers.
A slow, warm smile bloomed on Miss Smith’s lips, revealing perfect white teeth, delicate dimples on both cheeks, and a pleasing crinkle at the corner of her eyes as she observed Lizzy’s exploration. It was as though her demeanour had changed in an instant. As though she was charmed by—even welcomed—the child’s curiosity. Hell if Leo didn’t feel slightly charmed, himself. It took a great strength of will for him to not urge the child aside and demand answers from Miss Smith. Like preciselywhyhe felt so damned…offwhen he was around her.
Leo caught Percy’s glance from where the man stood against the dark wood bookcases along the far wall, and twitched his lips. Percy’s one raised eyebrow spoke volumes. Miss Smith’s story had answered only some of their questions, while raising several more.
“Your hair is darker than mine,” Lizzy observed, her words slightly slurred by excess saliva.
Leo opened his mouth to rebuke the waif, but she continued quickly. “It’s very pretty,” she said wistfully, while absently stroking Miss Smith’s wrist. “It’s curly, like mine.”
He cleared his throat. “One ought never to grab at a person’s…er…person, Lizzy. It isn’t polite.” But he damned well agreed with her.
“It’s quite all right,” Miss Smith returned, her gaze flicking upward momentarily. “It’s natural for her to be curious, and I rather enjoy children’s honesty.”
Interesting. Another piece to her proverbial puzzle. He would think on that later.
“Were you born’d here, like me?” Elizabeth asked.
Miss Smith smiled. “I was born here in England. I resemble my father and my mother in different ways, but the curls in my hair are all from my mama.”
“I knowed it,” Lizzy breathed. “My mama was English and went into the sky when I was born’d.”
A small indentation appeared between Miss Smith’s eyebrows. “I’m sorry to hear that, Miss Elizabeth. Mine did, as well.”
Lizzy gripped the chair’s handle and hoisted herself up onto Miss Smith’s lap. A twist of apprehension tightened in Leo’s stomach. “Lizzy, we mustn’t crawl upon Miss Sm—”
“You have marks on your face,” Elizabeth noted, pointing at Miss Smith’s bruising with extended index finger.
The woman’s smile turned sad. “Yes, I do. I was in an accident.”
“And it hurted?”
“It did hurt, yes.”
“I growed up to four,” Elizabeth announced, holding up four fingers. “How old are you?”
Miss Smith laughed and held a hand behind Lizzy’s back to keep her from falling. “I am five-and-twenty.”
Leo’s gaze darted toward Percy again, confusion filling him while Lizzy asked more questions. How could this woman be on the shelf? Hell, even if she’d been born into a poor family, some landowner or parson’s son would have surely found a way to begin courting her. And yet she remained unwed.And in my home.
“Are you going to be my new governess?” Lizzy’s small voice brought his attention back to the woman across from him.
Leo cleared his throat and opened his mouth, but Miss Smith spoke first.
“I have not yet interviewed with your father, nor has a position been offered. So, no, sweeting, I’m afraid not.”
Elizabeth giggled, her ringlets bouncing. “Leo’s not my father, he’s my uncle!” She turned and hopped to the floor, approaching Leonard with a skip, then inexplicably slid her petite hand into the cuff of his coat sleeve, leaving it there while her fingertips stroked his arm hair.
Shame washed over him, and he swallowed hard against the sudden lump in his throat.
