Page 51 of His Godsent Duchess
The thought sent a rush of excitement through her, and she smiled, feeling the warmth of his body pressed against hers. She felt him draw her even closer, his hand firm at her waist, their steps slowing as the music reached its final notes. The space between them all but disappeared, and Christina's breath caught as she realized just how near he was.
Victor's gaze remained locked on hers, the intensity of it sending a shiver down her spine. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he leaned in, his lips brushing ever so lightly against hers. The touch was fleeting, barely there, but it sent a surge of heat through her, her heart racing in anticipation of the kiss that was sure to follow.
The world around them had disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the vast ballroom. Her pulse quickened as she leaned into him.
Just as she closed her eyes, ready to give in to the moment, a soft cough from the doorway shattered the spell.
Twenty-Two
Victor released Christian at once, stepping back, the spell shattered in an instant. She let out a frustrated huff as she tried to steady herself.Of all the times,she thought, her irritation growing. Just when they were truly close, just when it felt as if they were finally stepping into the roles of husband and wife, someone had to ruin it.
Her eyes flashed as she turned toward the door, only for her frustration to double when she saw who had interrupted them.
Miss Peversly stood in the doorway, dressed in her usual stark black, her hands clasped tightly before her. Her expression was severe, her lips pressed into a thin line as though she had just swallowed something bitter. There was no apology in her demeanor, no recognition of the moment she had so thoroughly disrupted.
Victor's voice, hoarse and clearly strained, broke the thick silence that followed. "What is it, Miss Peversly?" he asked, his tone barely masking his irritation.
Christina didn't need to look at him to know that he was just as displeased by the interruption as she was. His voice was tight, his usual composure slipping ever so slightly.
Miss Peversly inclined her head stiffly, her tone as dry as ever. "Agnes is refusing to sleep, Your Grace," she said, directing her gaze toward Christina, though her words seemed to weigh heavily in the room. "She insists she needs the Duchess to read her a story before bed."
Christina sighed, the irritation that had been coursing through her now shifting to something more resigned. As much as she wanted to stay in that ballroom with Victor, as much as she longed to return to the closeness they had been building, her duty to the children came first. Always.
"Of course," Christina replied softly, her voice filled with the disappointment she tried to conceal. "I shall help Agnes fall asleep."
She turned to Victor briefly, offering him a rueful smile. His eyes, still dark with the intensity of their near kiss, held hers for a long moment. There was something unspoken between them, a shared frustration that hung in the air. He nodded, though his jaw remained tight, and Christina could tell that he, too, had not wanted the moment to end like this.
Christina straightened her shoulders, preparing herself to step back into her role as duchess and mother. As she walked toward the doorway, her hand brushing lightly against her skirts, she couldn't help but feel the weight of what had just slipped through her fingers.
As she passed Miss Peversly, however, her senses sharpened. The governess stood unnervingly still, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as Christina approached. There was a flicker of something—something dark—hidden within her otherwise cold gaze.
Victor's jaw tightened as he watched Christina leave the ballroom, her figure disappearing through the doorway, leaving only the lingering trace of her perfume in the air.
The subtle, floral scent enveloped him, teasing his senses, and for a moment, he found himself wishing she would turn back. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to take a calming breath. His hand drifted to the music box still playing in the corner, and he closed the lid with deliberate care, silencing the soft tune that had accompanied their near kiss.
His emotions, a mix of frustration and something he didn't care to name, simmered beneath the surface. The moment they had shared—so close to feeling as though they were truly man and wife—had been shattered. And now… the opportunity was lost.
"Your Grace."
The voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned to see Miss Peversly still standing in the doorway, her posture stiff, her expression as grave and unyielding as ever. He frowned slightly. What could she still want? Agnes's need for a story had already been addressed by Christina.
"Yes, Miss Peversly?" Victor asked, his voice measured as he straightened, adopting his usual stance of authority.
The governess stepped into the room, clasping her hands tightly in front of her as though she were contemplating something of great importance. Her eyes, however, flickered with a hint of something that Victor didn't quite catch. "I must confess, Your Grace, I am concerned."
Victor raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. His patience for the woman was already wearing thin, though he concealed it well. "About?"
Miss Peversly's lips pressed into a thin line. "The duchess is indeed diligent with the children, but I fear her methods are rather… careless. Agnes has grown quite spoiled—insisting she cannot sleep without the duchess reading to her."
Victor's brows furrowed, irritation prickling at him. "The duchess is available to read to her, as you can see," he responded, though the edge in his tone was unmistakable.
Miss Peversly took a step closer, her voice lowering as if she were sharing a deep concern. "But, Your Grace, what if the duchess is not available? The children are becoming far too dependent on her. Katherine consults the duchess for even the smallest decisions—why, this morning she asked for her opinion on which day frock to wear."
Victor's irritation grew, but there was a part of him—an uncomfortable, practical part—that acknowledged Miss Peversly might have a point. His daughtersshouldn'tbe overly reliant on Christina for every little thing. That was not the kind of structure he had envisioned for them.
Still, he disliked the accusatory tone in the governess's voice. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention," Victor said, his voice clipped. "I will consider it."
Miss Peversly curtsied deeply, her lips pressing into that same thin line. "Of course, Your Grace. I merely have the children's best interests at heart."
