He nodded toward the bed. “Rest well, and on the morrow you will feel better, I assure you.”
He walked out the door, closing it behind him. Although excitement bounced in her chest, so did a different feeling. She’d never—that she could remember—felt so helpless than she had a moment earlier. His overpowering presence had caused her body to weaken in the worst way. If she stayed as his servant, she’d most certainly have to get rid of these ridiculous yearnings for his affection. Although she didn’t remember anything, she knew servants did not fall in love with their employers—especially dukes.
Chapter Six
The young womanis infatuated with me.
Trevor groaned and covered his face with his hands as he leaned his elbows on the desk. Yesterday in her room had been a mistake. He should not have gone to visit her without one of the other maids present. He should not have sat so close, and he definitely should not have watched her walk in front of the hearth. The shadowy shape underneath her nightdress displayed a woman who was full grown.
’Twas his own fault for being without a woman for so long. He’d been betrothed to Gwendolyn for over a year while her father and brother traveled abroad to settle business dealings, and so Trevor became celibate during that time to prepare for marriage. Once that moment came, he was disappointed. Gwen hadn’t been passionate, nor had she given him the smallest inkling that she enjoyed his kisses.
It crushed him to think he’d chosen a wife who couldn’t participate in the marriage bed. He’d longed for a passionate woman to share his life with, and disappointment soon became his lonely companion. Gwen was not the woman he’d dreamed about.
Shaking his head, he pushed the bad memories aside and tried to concentrate on his estate accounts. The ledger book open in front of him didn’t hold any interest, not when the mysterious stranger in his guestroom wouldn’t leave his mind.
After he’d left her room yesterday, he’d felt like such a fool. Why had he looked at her like a love-starved man? And why had he touched her? Her hair was like satin against his fingers, and she smelled like roses. Of course, it was the way she gazed at him with such admiration in her eyes that was his undoing. Never had a woman looked at him this way.
Having any kind of feelings for her was impossible, especially if he intended to keep her on as a servant. He was not—nor ever would be—the kind of man who dallied with servants. His father had been that sort of scoundrel, and at a young age, Trevor had vowed he’d never become like his sire. Trevor should dismiss Louisa once she gained her strength, but he didn’t want her to return to her former life. It wouldn’t be honorable to send her off into a world like that. Anyone who would whip a woman should be shot through the heart.
Yet he couldn’t have her here to torment him. Her innocent eyes that sparkled whenever she smiled would be hard not to stare at, and her pouty heart-shaped lips were entirely too sensual for a mere maid. Once she became strong again and her body nourished as it should be, she’d become a temptation. There was only one thing to do in a situation like this… train her well and help her find employment elsewhere.
Plain and simple, he couldnothave her disrupting his life.
A knock on the door brought Trevor alert. “Enter.”
Hobbs opened the door and stepped inside the room. “You have a visitor, my lord.” He handed the card to Trevor. “Viscount Putney is waiting in the drawing room.”
Trevor gnashed his teeth and at the same time tried to keep from displaying his anger. Bile rose to his throat as his fingers tightened around the calling card. He wanted nothing to do withthatman, except to shoot him between the eyes and pretend he’d never met him. Unfortunately, Trevor was a duke and needed to act accordingly.
After taking a deep breath, he answered calmly, “I shall be there momentarily, Hobbs.”
The butler nodded, turned and left the room. Trevor stared at the open door. What could Putney possibly want to talk about? It would be easier to wrap his fingers around the viscount’s throat and choke the very life out of him than tolerate his presence.
Shaking his head, he recalled how his mother thought he had abig heart.She would faint dead away if she knew what wicked thoughts ran amok through his head now.
Trevor stood and kept his balled hands at his side as he strode from the room. The sooner he discovered what the man wanted, the sooner he could kick him out of his house once and for all.
When he entered the drawing room, the tall, red-headed lord turned away from the large window and pierced Trevor with his stare. He almost laughed at his visitor’s expression—as if this were Viscount Putney’s home instead. Trevor wished the man would not covet everything in Trevor’s possession. Wasn’t it enough Putney was the last man to sleep with Gwen?
Folding his arms across his chest, Trevor lifted his chin stubbornly. “Speak your piece and leave.”
Putney squared his shoulders and narrowed his gaze. “I want to know why you treat the twins so poorly.”
The comment caught Trevor off guard, and he almost laughed. Instead, he arched a critical eyebrow. “Why do you care?”
“Are they mine?”
Trevor marched toward the man, ready to throttle the creature. He stopped in front of Putney and scowled. “I wish I knew.”
“One of my servants informed me yesterday that you are not certain that you are their father.”
“And pray, how shouldyourservant know this?”
“She’s friends with Mrs. Jacobs, your nursemaid.”
Bloody gossiping staff!“What I do or willnotdo with the children is no concern of yours.”
“It is if they are mine.”
