Grinning, she shook her head. “Then Spooks must appreciate your gentle hand more than mine.”
Without thinking, he cupped her fingers and caressed them. “Actually, your hands are considerably softer.” He winked. “I think the cat didn’t like the names you called him.”
She laughed. “Perhaps. I don’t know what I would have done if you had not happened by. I would probably be chasing that animal all afternoon.”
How he wanted to lift her fingers to his lips and rub her softness against him. The urge to take her in his arms became overpowering, and he knew she’d somehow enchanted him. Her smoldering eyes nearly had him on his knees begging for her affection.
Heavens, what’s wrong with me?He wasn’t desperate like Lord Hawthorne. So why did Trevor feel he must have Louisa?
He released her hand and stepped back. Being this close wasn’t wise or healthy. Hooking his hands behind his back, he wished he’d stop thinking about her in such a personal way. Yet it was such a pleasant change to have his thoughts wander in her direction, which always made him smile.
“So what does Mrs. Smythe have you doing today?” he quickly asked.
“I’m tidying up in the rooms.” She took the feather duster out of her apron pocket. “Until she finds me something else to do, this is what will keep me busy.”
“Seems like an easy enough task.”
“I certainly hope so, Your Grace. I would hate to think I mucked up another position.”
“Rest assured, Louisa, Mrs. Smythe will find the right fit for you.”
She shrugged as her hand petted the sleeping kitten in her arms. “The housekeeper will not allow me into the kitchen. Neither will Francois. And Mrs. Fitzwilliam refuses to give me anymore rose clippers.” Louisa took a deep breath. “I fear at thisrate, Mrs. Smythe will run out of things for me to do before too long.”
He leaned back on his heels and crossed his arms. “Do you remember anything about your past?”
“Well, I have had a few visions. I believe I had worked for a wealthy family before. The other day when I looked into your ballroom, I saw one in my mind. It was crowded with people, and there was a little girl who wanted to dance, so her father picked her up in his arms and swung her around. And then, of course, I remembered the things I did in the kitchen about the footman and the butler.” She smiled. “I also believe this family I worked for might have taught me French.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You speak the language?”
“Yes. When Francois made a rude comment to me the other day, I replied back in French. It surprised everyone in the kitchen, especially me.”
Trevor couldn’t stop watching the way her hand moved across the animal’s fur in soft strokes. And for the life of him, he wanted to feel her tender touch. “That is very interesting.” Before he could stop himself, he reached over and petted the animal curled against her. When the tip of his fingers brushed her fingers, fire shot through him. Although he didn’t want the incredible feeling to leave, out of propriety, he withdrew.
“Indeed it is, Your Grace.”
He cleared his throat—and hopefully his mind as well—and stepped back. “Well, I shall leave you to your duties. What are you going to do about the cat?”
“I need to return Spooks to the nursery… unless you would like to do it.”
He blinked, surprised. Why would she think he’d want the chore?
“You could check on the children,” she continued innocently.
Their eyes locked and Trevor stilled. Those huge, round green eyes peered straight through him—right into his soul. Did she know? Could she actuallyseehis insecurities regarding the children?Impossible.Yet, there was something all too intuitive—worldly—in her arresting gaze. This woman was a mystery, and not just in regard to her memory. No, something innate drew him to her. Something carnal and deep. It would behoove him to be wary.
“I would not wish Mrs. Smythe to think I’m shirking my duties.” She smiled and gently dropped the kitten into his arms. Grudgingly he took the animal. “Would you do this for me, please?”
Staring into her lustrous eyes, he knew he couldn’t possibly turn her away. Not with her pleading gaze locked to his. “No, we… um… do not wish Mrs. Smythe to think that about you when, um… it’s far from the truth.” His heart pounded crazily the longer he looked at her, and he couldn’t believe how tongue-tied she made him.
A smile stretched across her mouth and her lovely eyes twinkled. Slowly, she curtsied, holding his stare the whole time. When she turned to continue tidying up the room, it took all of his willpower to pull away and leave.
Strange to think, but she had bewitched him.
He hurried up the stairs toward the nursery. He opened the door to the children’s room and walked inside. The twins stopped playing and looked up at him with wide eyes. When their gazes fell to the cat, they cheered and jumped to their feet. His heart melted as they came to him holding out their hands to take the animal. Even Amanda didn’t seem frightened of him. How he prayed the children were his and not another man’s offspring.
Mrs. Jacobs waddled toward him, smiling. “I see Miss Louisa found the kitten.”
“Yes, she did.”
