“No…at least I don’t think I have. All I know is how frustrated I became to see Mrs. Jacobs treating your children with such lack of respect.” Her voice broke. “They are still babies. They should not be scolded, or slapped, or commanded…” A sob tore from her throat and she covered her face as tears poured down her cheeks. Once again, her heart broke knowing—actuallyknowingwhat those two had been feeling.
The duke’s arms wrapped around her as he brought her against his hard chest. Although she shouldn’t, she pressed herself against him and continued to cry. This sense of comfort was foreign, and she knew without a doubt it had been a long time since she’d experienced it.
Her head fit just under his chin, and she hadn’t realized he was so tall. Still, she was reluctant to leave his soothing embrace. Slowly, his hands slid up her back to her neck, and when his fingers connected with her skin, he caressed her. The sensation warmed her, yet at the same time hot tingles shot throughout her body.
She lifted her face to look at him. Tender eyes stared at her. Leisurely, his gaze moved over her face in interest, and she nearly melted.
His hands slid further up her neck until his thumbs toyed with her earlobes. The touch was so personal, so stirring, thatshe wanted to close her eyes and snuggle against him. Her breathing grew deeper. Faster. And by the quick rise and fall of his chest, something was affecting him because his ragged breaths matched hers.
“Louisa,” he said so very softly. “I get the impression you had a difficult past, and that is what has brought all of this on.”
She licked her dry lips again. “I wish I knew, but… I do feel like my past is one I don’t wish to revisit. Sometimes I get feelings—or fears, actually—that seem to come out of nowhere.”
When his gaze landed on her mouth, she froze. The color of his eyes turned a different shade of blue—like rain clouds covering the sky. Yet anger was not the emotion he held, not when his face appeared so soft. Not when his mouth parted and his face drew nearer…
Oh dear. He was going to kiss her. And she was going to allow it.
His lips hovered over hers and she closed her eyes, waiting. But within seconds, he pulled back.
On shaky legs she stepped away from him and sat on the edge of the couch. Dare she say anything about it? Had he really meant to kiss her or was that her imagination playing tricks on her? Knowing the way she liked to woolgather, this was probably all her doing.
Breathing slower, she wiped the moisture from her face before looking at him again. His hard expression didn’t tell her anything about his thoughts as he stared at the floor. Silence stretched between them, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“So—” He cleared his throat. “What else has Mrs. Jacobs done to my…the twins that you have witnessed and not approved of?”
She linked her fingers together tight in her lap. “I should not say, Your Grace.”
“Why?”
“I—I do not think it’s my place to gossip.”
“Did you witness this firsthand?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s not gossip.” He came toward her, stopped, and knelt on one knee in front of her. His eyes were dark again, but not with desire. Far from it, in fact. “Tell me what she did.”
“The other night they were hiding from her, and when she found them, she slapped Amanda across the face. I scolded Mrs. Jacobs then.”
He took a deep breath and placed his hand over hers. “Thank you for your assistance.”
Louisa nodded. “I could not let her treat your children so disrespectfully.” She disentangled her fingers to clutch onto his hand. “But please, Your Grace, don’t say anything to her on my account. I’m having a rather difficult time making friends in your household, and I fear I have already made Mrs. Jacobs my enemy.”
“Not to worry, my dear.” He gave her a half smile. “I shall keep an eye on her from now on. The twins should not be treated as such by her or anyone else.”
Relief poured through Louisa and she relaxed her shoulders. “No, they should not.”
He stood, pulling her hand so she rose with him. “I appreciate your candidness. You may leave now.”
She curtsied and walked to the door. As she rested her hand on the doorknob, she looked over her shoulder at him. He was back to leaning against the corner of the desk again, his gaze riveted to hers.
“Before I leave,” she said, “I must apologize.”
“For what?”
“Destroying your rose bush.” She shrugged. “I fear we have discovered yet another talent I do not possess.”
He tilted his head back and laughed. The richness of his laughter weakened her legs and she feared she’d soon be mush on the floor. This was a normal feeling she received while around him and she quite enjoyed how it made her heart light.
