“And yet I see her hunger for a mother’s face,” Adeline flung at him before she could think. “I see her desperation for the truth you deny her. Why is her mother’s name forbidden in her own home?”
The Duke’s expression changed. His fury sharpened into something raw and unfathomable. For a moment, she thought he might strike the wall or shout her down. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a rough growl.
“You will not speak of Louisa’s mother.”
“I will speak of what I please,” Adeline snapped, refusing to flinch.
They stood nose to nose, voices rising, each too consumed by the other to notice the echo in the hall. Louisa returned with Cordelia at her side.
“My word,” Cordelia said dryly, surveying the scene. “I leave you alone for an hour and the house is in uproar.”
Louisa clutched her grandmother’s hand, eyes bright.
“Grandmama, Adeline should be my governess! She listens to me. She climbs trees with me. I like her. Please?”
Adeline blinked, still breathless, while Winston gave a bark of incredulous laughter.
“Her? A governess?” His tone dripped with disdain.
“Why not?” Cordelia countered, unruffled. “Louisa has rejected a dozen already. At least she might mind Adeline.”
Winston’s gaze cut to Adeline, still flushed from their quarrel, grass stains streaked across her gown. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes. Anger? Yes, but something else too, something that made Adeline’s breath catch.
“Very well,” he said at last, voice low. “But before I allow such madness, I will have a private interview with her. After dinner.”
He held Adeline’s gaze unblinkingly until heat rose in her cheeks.
“As you wish,” Cordelia said brightly, patting Louisa’s shoulder. “There we have it. Settled.”
Settled?Perhaps, matters were settled as far as Cordelia or Louisa were concerned. But as Winston stalked past, Adeline knew, in her heart, that nothing between them was settled at all.
Chapter Five
Winston urged his horse forward, hooves striking earth with the steady rhythm he craved. Oswald Lambourne, Earl of Duskwood, rode alongside, his usual cheer irritating and comforting in equal measure.
“You’re troubled,” Oswald said at last, breaking the silence. “I’d wager it’s the new governess.”
Winston scowled. “She is unsuitable. Louisa requires discipline and patience. Not someone who clambers about in trees like a peasant child. And my mother does not need any more encouragement in her wild behavior.”
Oswald’s laugh rang out. “So, she has spirit. That’s hardly a crime.”
“It is unladylike,” Winston snapped.
“Ah,” Oswald grinned. “But is she beautiful?”
Winston’s jaw clenched. “That is irrelevant.”
“Which means she is,” Oswald countered. “You would not be so curt otherwise. Tell me, Greystone, when was the last time you so much as looked at a woman? Not since…”
“Enough.” The word lashed like a whip. “You overstep, Duskwood.”
Winston had reigned his horse in, and Oswald followed suit, trotting back to Winston’s side.
I should not have taken Oswald up on his offer of a ride. I should be meeting with Adeline and dismissing her from my mother and daughter’s service.
His horse became restive, sensing his mood. Winston patted its neck reassuringly. Oswald held up his hands in mock surrender.
“Forgive me. Only sooner or later, you must consider an heir. Louisa cannot inherit, and the Burgess name will end with you. Isn’t it about time you started looking for a wife? Surely the presence of a pretty woman in your household has given you the idea. There are plenty of them out there.”
