“And if you discovered your favorite frock had been rolled inmud?”
She attempted to appear serious, drawing her eyebrows together. “I would make mudpies.”
The duke patted her hand, grinning. “I do believe you will fit in perfectlyhere.”
Emma gazed at him. “Thank—” Her slipper caught on something and she tripped, her heart skipping a beat as his grace pulled her into hisarms.
He held her tight against him in a protective embrace. “I have you.” He stared into her eyes as he brought his lips tohers.
Heat fanned through Emma at the gentle pressure of his lips on hers. Like a perfect hoyden she wrapped her arms around his neck and angled her head inviting him to deepen thekiss.
The duke accepted her wonton invitation, sliding his tongue into her inviting mouth. He was so close, so warm, her head swam, heart pounding as desire pooled in her midsection. She gave as well as she got, clinging to him, forgetting herself in hisarms.
As suddenly as she’d been pulled against him, he set her aside breaking their connection, all of the humor gone from his expression as he looked at her apologetically. “I should not have taken advantage of your close proximity. If you will excuse me, I will leave you to your lessons.” The duke bowed, turned on his heels and left Emma watching as he strolledaway.
* * *
Aaron satin the family parlor, his feet stretched out before him as he watched Sophia play on the floor nearby with the doll he’d brought her from London. He would do anything to see his daughter well adjusted and happy. It was, for that very reason, he’d hired Miss…the hell with it, Emma, to be here governess. Why the devil had he kissed the woman? He rubbed his neck, averting his attention to the fire crackling in the hearth. Had he learned nothing from Sophia’smother?
Beautiful, young women brought nothing but betrayal and chaos. They used men to gain what they wanted then destroyed them before moving on. He could not become entangled with Emma, would not allow himself or Sophia to get hurtagain.
He glanced back down at his daughter who wore a look of concentration as she played with the dolls golden locks. Sophia was smitten. He sighed. They were already at risk. He could no more deny his attraction to Emma than Sophia’s attachment to thewoman.
Emma had gotten to them—captivatedthem.
Hell he’d spent the whole day between thinking about the memory of her lips on his, wanting more of her, and trying to forget what had happened. Emma had turned him upside down, charmed him from almost the moment they’d met and ignited his passion with herkiss.
He glanced at the door when the sound of footfalls intruded on his thoughts and his pulse speed up. Emma strolled into the room, her hips swaying, hair shining in the candle light, and face glowing. Bloody hell, he was introuble.
“Miss Baxter. Do say you will read to me?” Sophia laid her doll on the settee and reached for the book on the table besideit.
A thread of unease spiraled through him. Should he say something to her? Leave the room, perhaps? He watched as Emma moved to sit beside Sophia. Taking the book she opened it and began reading. When Sophia curled up beside her, Emma wrapped one arm protectively around her and all thought fled Aaron’s mind as he watchedthem.
Miss Emma Baxter was nothing like his deadwife.
Sophia’s mother had not had a maternal bone in her whole body. Hell a pack of wolves would have made a better mother to Sophia then his wife ever had. Furthermore, Emma was not demanding, she was gentle and kind, as well as fun to be around in ways his wife never hadbeen.
It was not fair of him to compare the two women and he’d not do it anymore. Besides, he and Emma were not courting. She was his employee—nothing more. Aaron relaxed into the chair and allowed himself to be carried away in the story she read. Her voice wrapping him in serenity the likes of which he had not felt in a longtime.
“Your Grace.” He opened his eyes, turning his head toward the nanny’s voice as Emma stoppedreading.
“I have come to take Lady Sophia tobed.”
“I will tuck her in this night.” Aaron rose, stretching his neck and shoulders. “Come along,Poppet.”
Sophia reached out and hugged Emma. “Goodnight.”
He watched his heart melting as Emma wrapped a protective arm around hisdaughter.
“Good night, Princess.” She dropped a kiss on Sophia’s forehead further endearing herself tohim.
The tender moment brought a tear to his eye for he could plainly see the bond that had formed between the two—and in such a short time. There was no doubt Emma cared for Sophia regardless of how she’d come to be in his carriage, and a woman who held such a deep regard for a child that did not come from her own womb had to be a goodwoman.
In that moment, he resolved to protect and care for Emma come whatmay.
She released Sophia and the pair stood. “I am for bed as well. Good night, YourGrace.”
“And to you as well,” he said, as he scooped Sophia into hisarms.
