Page 7 of The Moonstone Governess
She refused to accept his offered arm, so he dropped it to his side.
To his surprise, she proceeded to walk beside him. “You are a mass of contradictions, Your Grace. What do you have inside of you?”
“Other than bitterness and bile?”
She looked up at him as they walked along, with Scipio now ambling contentedly behind them. “I am sorry you are so haunted. Have you always been like this, or did the war do this to you?”
“What does it matter? Do you think you are just the woman to save me? Others have tried and failed.”
“Heavens, no. I am not interested in saving you. You are part gentleman, part tragic poet, and part coiled snake, as you warned. I have learned my lesson and know better than to tangle with you.”
He reached out and brushed a windblown curl off her cheek. “Smart girl. Do you live alone at Stoningham Manor?”
“No one lives there at the moment. I am staying in the village, at my cousin Cara’s cottage. Stoningham Manor is too big for me to manage on my own, which is why it makes sense for me to sell it. But to do so feels as though I am giving up my parents. My siblings, too. Indeed, my entire existence. I suppose you will chide me again for my sentiment.”
“I have no need. You are chiding yourself.”
“Not really. I value sentiment. It does have a value, no matter what you say.”
“There’s where you are wrong. You are going to hold on to the manor house and pour your savings into its upkeep, even though all that work and expense will never be sufficient to properly restore it. Then where will you be? Struggling because you spent the funds to preserve a memory, and winding up with a house reduced in value because the funds were never going to be enough, and it still needs fixing.”
She again pursed her lips.
Ah, those exquisite lips. He wanted to kiss her again.
But even he understood he had done enough damage for one morning.
Besides, now that he realized how innocent she was, he could never take advantage. She looked quite youthful, like the breath of spring. But she had to be approaching her mid-twenties, since he knew she had taught at the Rainard Academy for several years.
Gossip flowed both ways here in Moonstone Landing. She had heard an earful about him, but he’d also heard quite a bit about her. She was beloved and admired, regarded highly for her knowledge, which obviously did not extend to men.
He was not going to make that mistake again.
In truth, he felt quite some remorse for taking advantage and kissing her. Well, he did not really regret kissing her. But he was too much of a gentleman, despite what she thought, and would not act again without her permission.
Blasted shreds of decency and honor. They were such useless things.
“You mentioned you had siblings, Miss Angel.”
She nodded. “Yes, a beloved brother and a sister who always looked out for me. But a fever took them before they reached adulthood. I don’t know why the fever did not take me, too.”
“You might have been the littlest, but you must have had the hardiest spirit.”
She shrugged.
“Miss Angel, if you are reluctant to sell me your property, perhaps we shall come to another arrangement. Would you consider letting the house to me for the remainder of the year? A six-month term? Or a full year? This will give you an income while you decide what you want to do.”
She pursed her lips yet again.
Really, this girl needed serious kissing.
He grunted. What was wrong with him?
“It is a comfortable home,” she said. “My father was a man of importance in the area. But you are a duke. I doubt it will be nearly fine enough for you.”
“Mr. Priam would be issuing you a severe lecture right now,” he said with a mock frown. “Is this not a perfect solution for you? At least a temporary one to get you through the year? Why are you trying to talk me out of tossing piles of money at you?”
She cast him a pained expression. “You are right. I am being foolish. Toss away. I’ll fetch a basket to catch as many banknotes as you wish to throw at me.”
