Page 76 of The Moonstone Governess
Matthew was exhausted from his excursion and the walk back home. Brenna helped him wash up and then tucked him in bed for a nap while Daire went to see how his mother was faring.
They met in the parlor thirty minutes later. “How is Duchess Juliana?” Brenna asked, noting his furrowed brow.
“She insists that she is fine. Simply a megrim. But I’m not sure. I am beginning to think she hurried out here ten days early for a reason.”
Brenna began to fret her lip. “Shall I have one of the footmen summon Dr. Hewitt now?”
“Let’s leave it for tomorrow. She insists she will be fully recovered by morning. Honestly, I cannot see anything wrong with her other than she looks a little pale. But that could also be a trick of the light. What do I know?”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Brenna assured him. “I expect to have an easy night. Matthew will spend the evening playing with his tin soldiers, I’m sure. He’ll fall asleep with very little difficulty tonight even if he manages a solid nap.”
“Summon me at the inn if you need anything. I’ll be around, just finishing off the last of my work. I received a full pouch this morning, and it has taken me much of the day to get through the most pressing matters. If I can tear Jax away from your cousin,” he said with a wry smile, “I’ll share a late supper with him and a glass of port before retiring.”
“Sounds awfully dull, Your Grace,” she teased.
“Well, I could scrap all plans with Jax and simply do what I’ve wanted to do since the first moment I met you, but you will slap me if I go into elaborate detail. Can’t have you tearing out and tumbling over tea carts, can we?”
She lightly patted the spot of her stitches. “Oh, don’t remind me.”
But Brenna smiled at him because she was not really overset that he found her attractive. Not that she would make too much of it, because she dared not believe he could have eyes only for her when there were several more beautiful women in town who would appeal to him, not to mention thetonbeauties he encountered in London.
Just as he had his doubts, she had a few of her own.
He was ruthless, by his own admission. He knew how to kiss a woman to gain what he wanted. He certainly wanted something from her.
Hadn’t Thaddius warned her that Daire was circling her like a lion? But did he just want her home? Or did he want her?
In her heart, she knew he was not using her. Daire genuinely liked her. He treated her well and respected her opinions. He did not spout trite flattery.
In fact, he was deathly afraid of ever admitting he might be in love with her.
Why did love have to be so complicated? Why did it have to be so confusing?
“I have learned my lesson,” she said with a soft laugh. “I will not run off like a goose and tumble over tea carts just because you toss a saucy remark. I shall take it in stride and simply thank you for thinking I am pretty enough for you to take notice.”
He groaned. “Pretty enough? There is no one more beautiful than you, Brenna. All I want to do is kiss you.”
“Again?”
He chuckled. “Again and always.”
She noted the heat in his eyes, but had no time to respond because Matthew suddenly came hopping in and interrupted their conversation. “I’m hungry, Miss Brenna.”
“Matthew, how is it possible? We just finished an entire lemon cake at Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop.” But she smiled at the boy and took his hand. “Oh, very well. Since it seems you are not going to take a nap, let’s see what Cook has prepared for us. Your Grace, will you be staying for supper?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll reserve my answer until I see Juliana again. I’ll give it another hour before I look in on her.”
Daire remained with Brenna while she attended to his very hungry nephew. They sat with the boy on the terrace, since her uncle’s men were working indoors and stirring up quite a bit of dust throughout the main floor. Felicity and Jax had finished their gardening for the day, and joined them for lemonade and more cakes while Matthew continued to dig into his plate of hearty stew.
“How was your outing, Matthew?” Jax asked.
The boy smiled. “I saw soldiers and an old fort and ships in the harbor. Tomorrow, Uncle Daire and Miss Brenna are going to take me to fly a kite. We’re going to have a picnic, too.”
Brenna looked on in surprise. The boy had been listening, after all. He had even mentioned his uncle by name. Was he getting over his fear of Daire?
“We are going to weed the flowerbeds tomorrow,” Felicity said with cheer.
Jax laughed. “What fun. I cannot wait.”
