“You should not,” he whispered. “I am not made for the company of others.”
“You might surprise yourself.”
“I do not wish to.”
“For Louisa’s sake.”
That was the wrong thing to say. Winston leaned back, looking away. Adeline’s beauty had been pulling him into a whirlpool. He had been drowning in his desire for her and was glad of it. Even now, he wanted to rip away the bedclothes that concealed her body from his sight.
“You seek to invoke my daughter’s name to manipulate me,” he said harshly, getting to his feet.
Adeline looked stricken.
“No! That could not have been further from my mind. I…I simply thought that there was nothing you would not do for her. I would do a great deal for her if I could, and I have not known her for long.”
Adeline got to her feet, trying to keep the toga of bedclothes from under her feet. Winston walked to the door.
“I did not mean to cause offense!” Adeline cried.
There was such a feeling in her voice. Almost desperation.
The desperation of a confidence trickster who realizes her game is up? But then she has not mentioned my drunkenness. She has shown only compassion. And she does love Keats.
He turned to her, the stricken look on her face a dagger that cut him deeply. He felt the urge to make her smile again.
“You wish to be Louisa’s governess. I will grant you a trial. A month. We shall see if you are suited.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I am most grateful. I am very fond of Louisa even after this short time. It will be a most rewarding employment,” Adeline babbled.
She smiled. Winston’s lips tugged into a response. Then, as the urge to hold and kiss her surged within him like a volcanic upwelling, he opened the door.
“Shall I summon a servant to help you dress?” he asked, putting as much ice into his voice as he could.
“No, I think I can manage.”
“I have matters to attend to. Summon a servant to guide you back to the breakfast room,” Winston said abruptly.
She had climbed his walls and roamed beyond. He felt uncomfortable at how much he had given. How much he had allowed her to see. He wanted her safely on the other side of the walls now. Poetry or no poetry. He left the room, conflicted. Suspicion gnawed at him like a teething puppy, but the echo of her poetry lingered like light against darkness.
Chapter Nine
The morning air tasted freer, sweeter where it entered the room from an open window.
A chance, at last, a fair chance.
Adeline felt relief and triumph at Winston’s words. But it was not as though she were destitute. She was paid a stipend by Cordelia, and it met her needs. She could continue to be Cordelia’s Lady-In-Waiting quite happily. Except that until Briarwood was restored, there was little room for that position at Greystone. The Duke employed a housekeeper who marshalled the servants, much as Adeline had done at Briarwood, where there was no housekeeper. To be a governess was to have a position within the household.
And one that ties me to Greystone. To the Duke. Is that part of my happiness? He has shown me either naked lust or indifferent iciness. Why should I want to be close to him?
Winston’s suspicion had not crushed her. She would have a month to prove herself worthy of Louisa’s care. A month in company with Lousia would certainly be something to look forward to. She was delightful company. Inquisitive, intelligent, adventurous. Adeline had no doubt that the right governess would be able to have fun with such a charge. And she hoped that she was that governess.
She decided to brave the maze of the house alone and skipped to the door. Opening it, she froze. Robert Grebe stood on the other side. His posture was coiled, eyes gleaming with menace.
“Mornin’, Your Ladyship. Fancy meeting you here.”
Adeline’s eyes darted up and down the hallway. Grebe chuckled.
“Don’t worry, miss. The Duke’s away, and there’s no one to overhear. Shall we go inside, just in case?”
