Brandon gave her an arch look, then chuckled in appreciation. “I think we can dispense with the pretense for now. It must be wearing on you.”
“It is easier than I thought it would be,” she admitted. “Sometimes, I don’t know, it’s as if I actuallyamher. I don’t have to think what she would do. I simplyknow.”
“I’m not certain I like that.”
“Neither am I,” she replied honestly. “It simply happens.”
Brandon was thoughtful but he said nothing. Addie stepped out of the house, and he motioned to her to take Clara. Shannon started to rise but he held her back, placing his hand around her wrist. “No. Addie will see that she’s tucked in. You’re not her governess any longer.”
“But I enjoy putting her to bed,” she protested.
“I know you do. But do you honestly think Clara cares at this point?”
Shannon glanced over her shoulder as Addie rocked Clara in her arms. The child hadn’t stirred. Reluctantly she agreed with Brandon and watched Addie take Clara away.
“Anyway, is my company so terrible?” He tugged on her arm, turning her hand over in his.
Shannon’s head snapped around. “No,” she said hastily. “That is…no, it’s not terrible at all.”
“That’s a relief,” he mocked lightly. “Do you know there is one matter we have not addressed since beginning this charade?”
Shannon frowned, trying to think what it might be. Nearly everyone at the folly had offered instruction on some point at one time or another. Addie cautioned her not to make her own bed. Oplas barred her from the kitchen except to plan menus. Martha relinquished her ring of keys and taught Shannon which opened the larder, the pantry, the linen cupboards, the smokehouse, the wine cellar, and the lamp room. As mistress Shannon found herself responsible for it all. Not that Aurora had taken much interest in her position at the folly, but during the infrequent visits of her parents, she delighted in playing the chatelaine.
She had spent long hours with Cody while he drilled her on Aurora’s mannerisms. The dancing lessons that had begun on the verandah one evening weeks ago now continued in earnest. A young girl named Emily, who had worked in the kitchen, was assigned to be Shannon’s personal maid. She dressed Shannon’s hair, laid out her wardrobe, and drew her bath. The luxury of having another do what she had always done for herself annoyed Shannon because she found herself enjoying it. She continually reminded herself that it was a temporary state of affairs.
Brandon abandoned her riding lessons when it became apparent she would not achieve Aurora’s expertise if she practiced for a lifetime. He merely glared at her when she apologized for her lack of skill, and set about thinking of some excuse that she could offer when asked why she did not ride anymore. He was much more pleased by Shannon’s ability to memorize details from Aurora’s past. For hours in the evening he offered information and quizzed her about her childhood, her friends, and her beaus. Shannon knew the name of Aurora’s governess, the street where she lived, the color of the shutters on her home. There seemed to be nothing that Brandon left out, including, painfully for Shannon, the details of his courtship with Aurora.
“I cannot think of one thing which has been neglected,” she said at last.
“Can you not?” he asked enigmatically. “No, I suppose it would not occur to you.” He drew in his breath, his eyes dropping momentarily from Shannon’s inquiring gaze to the perfect curve of her mouth. “Let us pretend for the moment that Aurora’s parents are sitting in those chairs over there. The four of us have just had a leisurely dinner, and the mood is quiet and comfortable. Michaeline is watching us and she whispers something to Paul. What do you suppose she said?”
Shannon shook her head in bewilderment. “I haven’t any idea.”
“She said, ‘Why is it that Aurora cannot bear to be close to her husband? He’s a handsome enough fellow. Quite splendid, in fact.’”
Both of Shannon’s dark brows were raised skeptically. “Did she mention anything about my husband’s conceit?” she asked, using the intonation they had agreed would be Aurora’s.
“Not a word,” he said seriously. He continued to look at her expectantly.
What would Aurora do? Her parents were watching. Appearances must be maintained. There was only one recourse open to Shannon. She eliminated the short distance that separated her from Brandon. He lifted his arm and placed it around her so that she curved into his shoulder and chest. “What is Mama saying now?” she asked.
“I don’t know. She’s whispering.”
Without thinking, Shannon punched Brandon lightly in the stomach. His belly was rock-hard. She cursed herself for noticing such a thing. “Rogue,” she said. “You heard her well enough a moment ago.”
Brandon captured Shannon’s hand and held it against his stomach. Gradually he felt her fist loosen and her fingers unfold. “That’s better. You have to touch me. It would be rather odd if you didn’t.”
“For appearances.”
“What other reason could there be?” Did she suspect he was lying through his teeth? He would have used any excuse at his command to have her in his arms. It felt right that she was at his side, his arm around her slender shoulders, her hand in his. His chin rested against the thick sausage curls at the back of her head. If he moved his mouth a fraction, he could press his lips in her hair. Brandon resisted the impulse.
“How did she…how do I…”
“Yes?”
“How do I touch you?” she blurted out. Her face flamed, but instead of retreating, she buried her face in Brandon’s chest.
Brandon would have laughed if the question had come from anyone but Shannon. The poverty of affection that she had known stopped him. He realized she was quite serious. She had no idea how to touch him. “There are different ways,” he said. He set her a little apart from him. “Suppose you want to make a point or attach my attention. Place your hand on my forearm like this.” He took her hand and rested it on his arm. “It would be better if you looked at me at the same time. Then I shall be certain to give you notice. That’s better. Now, pretend that you want to caution me at the dinner table. Mayhap I have said something outrageous and you want to keep the peace. Place your hand on my knee.” He watched as her hand moved from his arm and hovered over his thigh.
