Winston’s stride was quick, his expression taut. Adeline met his gaze calmly, though her heart beat fast.
“Louisa is unwell, Your Grace. A summer chill. I thought it best that she rest.”
Winston frowned.
“You are too indulgent. Children will seize any excuse to shirk their studies. She must learn discipline.”
Adeline stiffened. “Forgive me, but she is in no state to concentrate today. It takes effort. Rest will do her more good than recitation.”
There was no discernible warmth in his eyes, no hint of the fire that had consumed them both the night before. Adeline had found hay in her hair when she was dressing, thankful that she had spotted it before leaving her room. He gave no sign that anything had happened.
Adeline looked into his eyes as directly as she dared and for as long as she could. She didn’t want Cordelia to notice anything but, equally, found herself desperate for some sign of what was on Winston’s mind.
“You berated the last governess for being too strict with Louisa,” Cordelia pointed out. “You cannot have it both ways, Winston.”
“I can if that is what is best for Louisa. That is all that matters to me,” Winston replied. “If she is unwell, I will go up and look in on her…”
“No!” Adeline said sharply, then quickly moderated her tone. “I’m sorry, but I left her sleeping. I do not think it would be wise to wake her. Let the illness take its course. It is only mild.”
“Of course,” Winston said drily.
“I am sorry for sounding vehement. I am merely taking care of my charge. As is my duty,” Adeline said.
“And doing an admirable job,” Cordelia put in. “Your successor, when we find her, will have a hard act to follow.”
“It has been a matter of days, Mother. Do not get ahead of yourself.”
“And I have not yet decided…” Adeline began, seeing an opportunity to speak something of the uncomfortable truth she carried.
But Cordelia was only listening to herself. She continued on.
“I merely think of what is best for my granddaughter and I trust Adeline implicitly.”
“There are many governesses, with experience and expertise. We have not tried them all.”
“Nor do we need to. The bond between Adeline and Louisa is like mother and daughter.”
Adeline tried to speak at that point, but Winston snapped.
“Adeline is not Louisa’s mother!”
“No, I am not. Nor do I wish to be,” Adeline finally interjected, earning stares from both Cordelia and Winston. “What I mean is, Louisa has had a mother. I have no desire to replace her. In only wish to instruct and teach her. And to be her friend.”
Winston’s stare lingered on Adeline the longest. She felt stripped naked by his eyes. Her cheeks heated and her breathing quickened. She was conscious of Cordelia’s attention upon them both and fought to appear detached.
If Cordelia knew the heat that her son creates in me, she would surely send me away, thinking me attempting to ensnare a Duke.
The thought occurred to her that it might be the easiest way to be removed from this family. If she showed an interest in Winston publicly, her position as employee would be rendered untenable. It never occurred to her that in such a scenario, she might be accepted by Cordelia as a suitable wife for her son.
“I do not think a governess should be a friend to her ward,” Winston said.
“She needs a friend. She has been living in veritable isolation,” Adeline said. “Besides, I believe it has helped her to accept what I try to teach.”
Winston’s eyes narrowed. Adeline wished desperately that Cordelia was not present, that she could speak of things that could not be discussed in any other company. For a moment, it seemed he might quarrel with her further.
“I will think on it,” he said finally. “I have business in town so I will be gone for most of the day.”
As he took his leave, the sting was sharper than Adeline liked to admit. She knew he could not reveal himself before others, but she had expectedsomething. A flicker of acknowledgment. Instead, she was left wondering if she had been used. If Winston was the sort of man who dallied with those beneath him, exploiting their station. The suspicion felt cruel, and yet it wormed through her chest all the same. Cordelia watched him leave with a sigh.
