Page 8 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze
She stared down at him with wide, hazel eyes, her expression stunned. Edward gazed back up at her, rather stunned himself, but likely for an entirely different reason. He became acutely aware of the press of her body to his…the feel of her soft breasts against his chest…
It had been so long since he had been with a woman his body immediately reacted to her, and his length began to stiffen.
The lady came to her senses before him and tried to turn away from him. However, they were too close, and her lips accidentally brushed his as she moved. Heat shot through him at the brief contact, and she gasped, her cheeks turning dark pink. The moment was short-lived, however. The woman quickly scrambled away from him. She pushed to her feet and glared down at him, clearly furious.
Confused, Edward clambered up as well.
The woman put her hands on her hips and demanded, “Just what do you think you are trying to do?” Her voice was sharp and had a French accent, though she spoke English perfectly.
Blinking, Edward asked, “What do you mean?”
“Why would you come up behind me and grab me like that?” the woman cried. “You nearly scared me to death!”
“I was…I was saving you,” he stammered.
She furrowed her brow. “Saving me? What in the world? Saving me from what?”
He pointed toward the railing. “From going over the side. You were starting to fall.”
She scoffed. “I was not. I was just leaning over the railing to get a better look at some creature in the water. You pulled me away before I could decide what it was.”
Edward frowned. “What? Are you quite serious?”
She nodded. “Yes, I am. Why would I invent something like that?”
Edward stared at the lady a moment, irritation burning within him.
“I had only been trying to help,” he snapped. “You should not have been leaning over the railing like that. What were you thinking? Did you not realize what that might look like for someone watching you?”
Her brows shot up in indignation. “What were you doing watching me to begin with? You do not know me, my lord. You have no right to watch me. Are you a scoundrel of some sort?”
Edward’s jaw dropped. “A scoundrel? How dare you!”
He was not usually so confrontational, especially with total strangers. Still, he was struggling with his embarrassment at having misunderstood her situation so and could not help himself. He wanted to cover up for his misjudgment but did not know how to do so without letting his temper flare.
She jutted her chin out at him and hissed, “Only a scoundrel would put his hands on a woman he did not know, so you must be one.”
“Are you truly so ungrateful?” he spat. “I had no intention of touching you inappropriately. As I said, I thought you were in trouble. Even if that was not the case, I do not think I am deserving of such treatment.”
The lady’s nostrils flared, and her eyes flashed. Edward braced himself for whatever her sharp tongue wished to lash at him next. She surprised him by simply releasing a huff, turning, and marching away. Edward watched her leave, completely baffled. Such a woman could not be a proper lady, he decided. She was far too rude. Even though she was beautiful, Edward could not abide by her grating personality.
Hopefully he did not encounter her again, but he would make a note to avoid her for the remainder of their voyage. There was no reason to make his return to England any more stressful and unpleasant than it needed to be.
Chapter 6
She could not remember the last time she had been so furious! How dare that scoundrel of a man. Not only to put his hands on her but to kiss her as well! Her cheeks burned at the memory, embarrassment seizing her like a vice.
Victoria made her way below deck and to her cabin, knowing she was practically hiding away from the man, but she did not care. She had been enjoying her trip up until that point. She had simply wanted to enjoy the quiet of the nearly empty deck and bask in the cool air and setting sun. Then that man had ruined it all, but she would not let her unfortunate encounter with him damper the rest of her trip.
Closing the door of her small cabin behind her, she moved to sit on the narrow bunk and released a long breath. She thought of her family and wondered how her mother was doing. Leaving had been difficult, and though she was excited by the possibilities that awaited her in England, she would miss her family terribly.
Her mother had tried to put on a brave face, but she had broken down into tears and hugged Victoria, nearly clinging to her, as if she did not want to let her go. Her sisters and brother had also been sad to see her go, but they were able to maintain their composures far better than their mother when Victoria had parted ways with them.
Of course, Victoria had been devastated to leave them and cried alone in her cabin once the ship had set sail. However, she could not deny her excitement. England might be her homeland, but it was a mystery to her. She had not been there since she was a child and barely remembered anything about it. The unknown of it all would scare most people, she was certain, but she was looking forward to what she would find there.
Thinking about what awaited her in England, she was able to put that awful man from her mind.
***
