Louise lifted her chin. “Emily is very well-behaved.”
“I’m sure she is. But she still needs proper instruction.”
Louise looked away, pride warring with practicality on her expressive face. “You’ve already done too much.”
“I’ve done what’s necessary.” Aaron studied the curve of her neck, the stubborn set of her jaw. “But there are rules in this house, and a governess will oversee that Lady Emily follows them.”
She met his gaze. “Rules? Such as?”
“You’re here as my aunt’s companion. The staff will treat you with respect, and you’ll want for nothing.” He stepped closer still, noting how she held her ground despite the way her breath quickened. “But you’re not to indulge all my aunt’s whims. She can be … enthusiastic in her schemes.”
“Schemes?”
“You’ll see.” He was standing too close now, close enough to see the gold flecks in her green eyes. “And Lady Louise?”
The formal address somehow felt more intimate in the close space between them. “Yes?”
“You’re under my protection now. Both of you. That means you follow my lead in matters of safety. No ventures out alone, no correspondence with anyone connected to your brother’s situation without my knowledge. Understood?”
A muscle ticked in her jaw. “You’re giving me orders?”
“I’m keeping you safe.”
“By controlling every aspect of our lives?”
“By making sure that Bragg can’t reach you.” The reminder of danger doused the sparks between them like cold water. “This arrangement works only if you trust me.”
“Trust.” Louise wrapped her arms around herself. “That’s a luxury I can’t afford.”
“Then fake it. Convincingly.” He turned to leave, then paused. “Breakfast is at nine. My aunt prefers to eat in the morning room. It catches the best light.”
“We’ll be there.”
“Lastly,” he looked back at her. “Whatever schemes my aunt concocts, and she will concoct them, try not to encourage her. She has a romantic imagination that needs no additional fuel.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Your Grace.”
“Louise?” Emily’s sleepy voice interrupted them. “Are you coming to bed?”
“In a moment, darling.”
He left them then, but paused in the hallway, listening to Lady Louise’s soft voice as she settled her sister for the night.
Through the door, he heard Emily ask, “Do you think Father would be angry that we’re here?”
“No, darling. Father would want us to be safe.”
“The duke seems very stern.”
“He’s … complicated.”
“But not mean?”
“No. Not mean.”
Aaron moved away before he could hear more.
In his study, he poured himself a brandy and stood at the window, looking out at the gaslit square.
