“Christopher!”
He became more alert at once. “Is something wrong?”
“Quite the opposite. I just had a meeting with the governess, and it could not have gone better.”
Christopher looked relieved, and then amused. “Well then, we have the stamp of approval from the masterwoman herself.”
Frances blushed when he called her that.“Must you call me that?”
“Is it not true?” he countered.
“The important thing is that we have found someone,” she pointed out.
In her excitement, she felt the urge to jump into his arms, but she quickly controlled herself.That would be embarrassing and, not to mention, unwelcome.
“I am happy that I will get to have more of you to myself now.” He smiled at her, and then he caught himself as well. “For the duties that are expected of you, of course.”
But it was too late. She was blushing hard now.
“I just wanted to come up and tell you the news myself.I told her that she can start right away.”
He nodded at her, taking a step back. “Well, I am happy as long as you are.”
Without hesitation, he reached out and squeezed her shoulder slightly, before heading back into his room.
She stood there, frozen. Still reeling from his touch.
It was a friendly one, and nothing more. But still, the impact it had on her was significant. Her heart thudded against her ribcage.
As she walked back to her room, she felt dazed.
The fire that burned between them was getting stronger by the day, and she did not know how much longer she could hold it back.
Or end up getting burned by its intensity.
CHAPTER11
The next day, the rain poured down relentlessly, confining everyone indoors. Christopher, always one to find a silver lining, found a way to make the mood a little brighter.
“Why don’t we play a game of hide and seek?”
Frances smiled, while the twins’ eyes lit up with excitement.
“We should!”
“Please, let’s.”
Christopher turned to Frances. “The people have spoken. Now it is up to you—the final decision.”
Frances smiled at their enthusiasm. “Alright, who wants to be the seeker first?”
“I do!” Edwin volunteered, grinning from ear to ear.
“Very well, Edwin,” Christopher said, ruffling his hair. “Count to fifty, and no peeking!”
As Edwin started counting, everyone else scattered to find hiding spots. Frances moved quickly through the manor, looking for a good place to hide.
It had been many years since she had played like this, and it made her feel giddy. Just like it used to when she was a child.
