Page 60 of The Moonstone Governess
“Keep to your schedule, Mr. Angel. My mother is a late riser, but she can endure a few days of discomfort to have this place in order as soon as possible.”
“Very good, Your Grace. I’ll let my men know to continue as usual.”
“I expect my mother has not come out of her bedchamber yet, but where is my nephew?”
“Aw, what a sweet boy he is.”
Daire arched an eyebrow in surprise. “Sweet?”
“Oh, yes. Quite curious and helpful, too. Felicity and Brenna took him on a nature walk, and then plan a quick stop to take a dip in the pool by the glade.”
Daire’s eyebrow shot up again, for there had to be some mistake. Helpful? The child was a devil’s spawn, if his prior governesses were to be believed. Nor did Brenna’s taking Matthew for a swim sound right. “Brenna plans to swim?”
Simon shook his head. “Oh, dear me. No. That’s why Felicity went with her. Brenna’s afraid of the water. Any water. No matter how tranquil it appears.”
“Timid, is she?” Jax asked.
Daire and Simon glared at him.
“She isn’t timid,” Daire said. “I’ll explain later. You’ll understand.”
“Lead on. I’m intrigued to meet her.”
Daire was leaping out of his skin to see Brenna again. One would think he had not seen her in years, but they had only been apart for three days.
It was not long before they neared the glade. Daire could hear the sound of rushing water. The stream running beside the glade must have filled to capacity after the storm earlier in the week. He also heard the lilting sounds of laughter. He immediately recognized Brenna’s melodic voice and the slightly throatier trills of Felicity. His nephew was with them, for he also heard a child’s gleeful giggles along with water splashing.
He stopped and simply stared at the glade.
Matthew laughing? Chattering, too.
Where was the sullen, withdrawn lad he had expected?
Matthew emitted another gleeful shout, soon followed by a loud splash. Then more laughter from the three of them. Was this not exactly what Daire had hoped for with Matthew? This was the first time he had ever heard the boy respond to anything with joyful abandon.
“Something wrong, Daire?” his friend asked. “You have the oddest expression on your face.”
“No. Finally things seem to be just right.”
They walked closer, their steps quiet as curiosity got the better of both of them. Perhaps it was not right to spy on the ladies and Matthew, but Daire did not want to interfere with their happy moment. He knew Matthew would close himself up the moment he noticed his uncle.
Jax inhaled sharply and then elbowed Daire in the ribs. “Praise heaven,” he whispered. “Am I seeing right? Who are these beautiful wood nymphs?”
“Quiet,” Daire warned, suppressing a groan. The ladies had taken off their gowns and wore only their shifts. The fabric was so sheer that he could see the dusky outline of the tips of Brenna’s breasts beneath the fabric. Felicity had her back to them, thank goodness. He would not look at her, for he was no lewd peeper. But Brenna? He wanted to devour the girl whole. “Take your eyes off Brenna, Jax. I vow, I’ll blind you if you look at her.”
“Which one is Brenna?”
“The one on the rock.”
“Suits me fine. I can’t take my eyes off the nymph in the water. I suppose that’s her cousin, Felicity? Gad, I’m going to spill myself if she turns toward me.” Which she did a moment later, but Daire’s gaze was still on Brenna.
Jax sucked in a breath. “Lord, I’m done for. I am going to marry that girl.”
Daire stared at his friend, who had obviously turned into a babbling nitwit.
“You heard me, Daire. Don’t give me that look. I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful in all my days, and I’ve seen plenty of beautiful women. Most of them unclad.”
“Don’t go thinking lewd thoughts. Brenna and Felicity are innocent about that sort of thing.”
