Page 53 of The Dark Duke's Virgin

“And my daughter? I cannot very well take back the punishment. She would know that I know.”

Miss Dowding sighed. “Sadly, that is true. But perhaps the next time you see her…” Her expression softened, a sense of sadness in her eyes. “You might try apologizing. Be mad at me if you must, but she does not deserve it. She is a sweet, wonderful little girl, and I would hope that you know it.”

It was hard to fathom exactly how to respond to that. The way that Miss Dowding was speaking of his daughter, things that he knew already but could not believe to be coming from a near stranger. The look in her eyes, the worry on her face, she caredfor Isabella, perhaps even loved her. So much so that she kept her secret and took the brunt of his anger and…

“Miss Dowding…” He clicked his teeth as the regret began to set in. “What I said today, about the governess. I am… I still think it is for the best.”

She nodded once. “I suspected as much.”

“You and I, what happened…” He tried to look at her, but for the first time, she refused to meet his eyes. “The role was only ever meant to be temporary,” he pivoted. “My daughter needs a real teacher. And when my grandmother goes home, I suspect you will be returning with her.”

A moment’s pause. A beat passing between them. The near hope that maybe, just maybe, Miss Dowding might for once argue with him. She had come here with the obvious intention not to, clearly a desire not to repeat what had happened yesterday. And while he respected that, oh how he prayed she might change her mind.

“I could not agree more,” she said eventually. And then, without another word, she turned and left, leaving the door open behind her.

This left Frederick alone in a state of confusion and despair, unable to convince himself that he had done the right thing. And not just where his daughter was concerned but Miss Dowding. Earlier today, he had known it was in his best interest to replace her as soon as could be. It was smart. It was right. Only now…

She was more than a governess for his daughter. She was Isabella’s friend, she loved her it seemed, she was perfect in so many ways, and Frederick, the fool, refused to see that. Caught up in the games they played, he had failed to see the true nature of this woman from whom he was so desperate to escape yet so unable to.

Amongst it all, too, he felt a crushing sense of guilt. For what he had done. For how he had spoken to her. For his refusal to apologize. Sitting alone in his study, Frederick had never before felt as rotten as he did just now.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Is everything all right, dear?” Esther asked Caroline.

“Hhmm?” Caroline had not been paying attention, a thousand-yard stare fixed on the horizon, her mind a million miles away.

“And that pretty much answers my question,” she chuckled as she nibbled on a piece of cake. “Mmmm, have you tried one of these by the way? Scrumptious.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “I thought you said you weren’t going to be eating any sweets?”

“That is what I told Frederick,” she said with a devilish grin. “But I do not see him anywhere here, do you?” She took another bite, and her eyes lit up. “I will not tell if you do not.”

“Do not worry, I can keep a secret as well as any other.”

Esther looked at her knowingly. “There is a difference, you know, between keeping a secret and simply not speaking to a person so that there is no chance to reveal said secret. They are hardly the same.”

“And what does that mean?”

“I think you know.”

A flat expression. “Oh, just come out and say it, will you? So that I can dismiss whatever it is on your mind, and we can get back to enjoying the day.”

“All right.” Esther put the cake down and looked upon Caroline with a simple, emotionless gaze. “You and Frederick.”

“What of us?” A pang in her chest ignored as she had been doing the last few days.

“It has not escaped my keen sense of observation that the two of you have not set foot in the same room for, what is it now, three days? That must be a record.”

Caroline looked away. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“And that is how you wish to play it?”

“There is nothing to play.”

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