Page 17 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

“Well,” I bit my lip, “I have a few more questions.” That seemed like the easiest way to answer.

He leaned back. “You want more details about my sordid family affairs?”

“Yes, I mean no, I mean . . .” I sighed, feeling foolish.

Miles seemed to enjoy how flustered I was by the playful arch of his brow.

“What I meant to say was, I only need to know if it will impact my employment. If there is a custody dispute, I don’t want to be out of a job.” And from the little Miles had told me, I didn’t want him to lose Henry either—little Henry, whose eyes were becoming very heavy now that his belly was full.

I caught the poor baby mid nod and wiped his sweet face off before I placed him on my lap. His eyes fluttered several times, trying to fight off the sleep his body so desperately wanted. Miles and I both laughed softly at his feeble attempt to stay awake. I employed a tactic I used to use on Chloe when she was a toddler. I stroked Henry’s brow and nose until he could resist no longer and peacefully rested in my arms.

Miles’s gaze was filled with both admiration and envy. “You are a natural. Sophie was too. It was as if she was born to be a mother.”

I shifted Henry, pulling him closer to me. “It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, and why I need to know exactly what I’m getting into.”

He pressed his lips together. “And you shall know everything, but first, I suppose I should ask you a bit more about your own situation. Your daughter is twelve, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Where is her father? If you don’t mind me asking.”

My entire body tensed just thinking of Leland. “Supposedly Texas. Why?”

“You don’t know for sure?”

“He hasn’t exactly been involved in Chloe’s life, so it’s not relevant.” I couldn’t keep the bite out of my tone.

He put his hands up. “I apologize if I’ve hit a nerve. I’m only inquiring to see what limitations you have in case I were to move back to London.”

“What do you mean by ‘limitations’?”

“Well, if things work out the way I’m hoping they will, I would want you to continue to work for me there.”

I gasped. I had dreamt about visiting the UK since I read my first regency novel as a teen. I imagined garden parties with handsome, eligible men of good fortune (of course) who would want to be my suitors. That turned into a love affair with the BBC and PBS Masterpiece Theater. Both allowed me to be in love vicariously, not only with the handsome men that starred in their shows, but with the UK itself. I’d always thought one day, after Chloe had graduated from college, I might be able to save enough money to visit, but never had I thought about living there. And most definitely not with someone who I had already had some vicarious dates with.

Miles narrowed his eyes. “Would that be a problem for you?”

I sank back against the booth, careful not to jostle Henry too much. “I don’t know,” I answered honestly. My mind was spinning with the possibility.

“Would your ex-husband prevent it?”

“I doubt it; besides, I have physical custody of Chloe.” Leland did have visitation rights, but if he ever took me to court, I would bring up the little matter of all the child support he owed.

“Is there someone else?”

“No,” I laughed.

Miles tilted his head. “You’re single?” He swallowed.

“Is that a problem?”

He drummed his fingers against the table. “I admit I was hoping you weren’t.”

“Why?” I was absolutely perplexed.

He stopped tapping his fingers and cleared his throat. “We are now getting to those scandalous details I promised.”

I was all ears.

“You asked before how you keep a baby a secret. In my mum’s case, you never tell anyone you’re pregnant and you leave town.”

“She told no one at all?”

“Not a soul. Not even her own parents.”

“Was she afraid?” I remember how scared I was to tell my parents I was pregnant. I knew how disappointed they would be, especially given who the father was. They hated Leland, for good reason.

He looked up as if he was consulting someone before he met my gaze. “She was ashamed,” he admitted heavily. “You see, she was my brother’s nanny.”

Oh. My eyes popped.

“Yes,” he responded to my reaction. “Quite scandalous, don’t you think?”

I remained still. Not sure how to respond to the rhetorical question.

He pressed on regardless. “The esteemed Baron Greaves,” Miles hissed, “was having a torrid love affair with his very young and beautiful nanny.” Miles began flexing his fingers again. “Mum, God rest her soul, loved him and didn’t want to cause him any complications,” he scoffed. “She took on the burden of raising me alone.”

That pricked my heart. “I’m sorry about your mother.”

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