Page 15 of The Moonstone Governess
He shrugged. “I am not a complete ogre, Miss Angel.”
There was something in the sincerity of his smile that softened her heart. “In this, you are not an ogre at all. You will berate me again, but it must be said… You are far too generous.”
Mr. Priam groaned.
The duke laughed. “Have no fear, Mr. Priam. I am not going to lower my offer, no matter how badly Miss Angel negotiates on her behalf.”
“Very good, Your Grace. Because this is the finest home, and—”
“I know its value, Mr. Priam,” he said, cutting the land agent off before once more turning to her. “Walk outside with me, Miss Angel. Let’s discuss the gardening work that will be required.”
He stopped Mr. Priam with a stern glance when he sought to follow them out.
Brenna shook her head andtskedat him once they were alone outdoors. “You are giving that poor man heart spasms.”
“On the contrary,” Daire replied, “you are the one who is giving him the spasms with your constant mention of my generosity. Do you think he gives a fig that I am overpaying? Why should he care how much I spend on this house? He is probably thinking up reasons to raise the price even higher in order to increase his fee. One does not succeed in his business by growing a conscience. You, on the other hand, my little dove, need to toughen that soft heart of yours, or some unscrupulous bounder might come along and hurt it.”
“Are you speaking of yourself?”
“Am I the only man in your life?” he asked.
“You are not in my life at all. Do not think a single kiss is enough to make you anyone special to me.” But the way he was looking at her, as though he could read her mind, made her blush. It was bad enough that the handsome oaf had kissed her and she’d liked it.
More than liked it, for she had melted in his embrace.
Had she the slightest amount of brazenness in her, she would have thrown her arms around his neck and held him in a wrestler’s lock while he probed and plundered her mouth. Had she been less of a coward, she would have urged him to kiss her again.
And again.
Dear heaven, even the delicious scent of him was etched into her soul. Musk and male heat, and the slightest hint of leather.
Her first kiss had been more splendid than she ever dreamed possible. Did he know it was the first time she had ever been kissed?
Now she had to worry about what Albert would think.
Oh dear.
Had the duke heard rumors about her and Albert Swanson, her Oxford professor beau? She hoped not, for she did not want this man knowing anything about her private life.
Albert had asked her to marry him and was growing impatient for an answer. His latest letter had arrived only yesterday, demanding a response that she was not yet ready to provide. Perhaps he would give up on her and simply resolve the matter by withdrawing his offer and finding someone else.
Easy enough. Decision made for her.
She was startled out of her thoughts when she felt a light caress to her cheek.
“Brenna, I know you think I am an oaf and a bit of a bounder,” the duke said, his voice smooth as melted chocolate and achingly gentle. “I know I also warned you about this darker side of me… That coiled snake. But I give you my word of honor, I would not hurt you for the world.”
She shook her head.
No, she dared not believe he could be sincere. He was just very good at faking it.
“Your Grace, we ought to concentrate on the landscaping.”
“Call me Daire. I cannot abide this formality between us. You are not my lesser.”
She groaned inwardly. Why was he being so cozy with her?
She could not even fault him for it. He had been generous and polite to her the entire afternoon. “You are a duke. Why do you claim we are equals? Is this a trick?”
