Page 24 of The Moonstone Governess
“You kissed me and had me sitting on your lap,” she said in a chiding whisper. “Is this your idea of behaving?”
“Yes, actually. If I were seriously misbehaving, you would know it.”
The country reel ended and the orchestra struck up a waltz.
Daire held out his arm to her. “Our dance.”
She hesitated, and for a moment he thought she might refuse him. But in the next, she nodded and placed her hand gently on his arm. Warmth flooded through him, but it was far more than a sexual urge that heated his blood. He had been attracted to women before, and had even considered courting some—but those efforts had been halfhearted, and not once had his heart truly been at risk.
He was not certain why he was responding so strongly to Brenna, but he was going to pursue it, no matter the consequences. If they were caught in a compromising position—which, Lord help him, he hoped would happen, because he agonizingly ached to explore this girl’s body—he would not be averse to marrying her. Yes, he would leap into the parson’s trap and tie the knot, no matter the scandal created, since he did not care what anyone thought.
He wanted her, apparently wanted her beyond reason, since he was ready to do the right thing if he ruined her.
Take that, Albert.
Brenna is mine.
She blushed as he placed his hand to the small of her back and drew her closer. Music filled the air, and dancers began to twirl in time to the melodic strains. “You’re a graceful thing,” he said, surprised by how easily they moved together, as though their bodies had always been one.
How would they move together in bed?
He shoved the dangerous thought aside. Brenna was not, nor should she ever be, a sport for him.
“We held several dances at the Rainard Academy. It was an important part of a young lady’s training.”
Yes, of course. These girls from elite families were expected to become consorts to dukes, earls, and even princes. “Were you their dance instructor?”
She laughed. “Heavens, no. I taught mathematics and literature. Dancing, fan fluttering, the intricacies of pouring tea, and general deportment were left to others.”
He grinned. “I’m not surprised they chose you to feed their young brains with the more substantial topics.”
“Families pay a lot of money to properly shape their daughters. We could not have them come out complete dunces. Many girls were quite clever and took to the academic subjects. I am proud of my small contribution.”
“Never think it is small. I am sure you inspired these girls to be more than they imagined possible.”
“Thank you,” she said with genuine appreciation. “Albert never once acknowledged my contributions.”
Because her beau was an elitist arse who thought women had no place outside the home. Would Albert require Brenna to give up her position at the school once they married?
He asked her.
She cast him a pained look. “We never discussed it.”
“Why not?”
“I…I…don’t know. It never seemed the right time.”
“Brenna, I am arrogant, impatient, and difficult in many ways, as I seem to be constantly proving. But even I know this cannot be good. If you and he are truly a love match, then you should have no qualms about confiding your hopes and dreams to your husband-to-be. Nor should you hold back from disagreeing with him if you feel he is wrong about something. You certainly do not hold back with me.”
“But you are—”
He kept his gaze on her as they slowly spun around the room. “What am I, little dove?”
She sighed. “You are easy to berate. Oh, you deserve it. But you take it rather well, considering who you are.”
“Thank you—I think. I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“I meant it as such. I also find it easy to talk to you. You are surprisingly open-minded.”
