Page 24 of Duchess By Accident
A short while later, there was a knock at the door, and then the familiar face of his daughter’s nanny appeared.
“Lady Melody said you wished to see me, your Grace?” the woman curtseyed.
“Yes, I do.” Adrian stood up and moved towards the woman. “Why was my daughter talking to the baker’s boy?”
“Timothy? He often joins his father when they’re delivering bread.” Nanny Green’s brow furrowed. “You’ve encouraged her to do so many unusual things, I did not see any harm in them speaking.”
“Clearly you did not, or the little cretin would not have been able to be so rude to her.” Adrian ground his teeth.
“He was rude to her?” Nanny Green looked shocked. “He is a little grubby to be sure, but I have always found him to be a delightful child.”
“Are you suggesting my daughter is a liar?” Adrian’s voice was dangerously soft.
“Of course not, Your Grace. Just… Well, sometimes children can misunderstand things.” Nanny Green caught sight of his face and hastily added. “Though if he was rude to her, I shall talk to Tom and ask him to make him apologise.”
“I do not want him anywhere near my daughter.” Adrian made a dismissive gesture. “And I expect you to have greater care with the kind of riff raff you expose her to.”
“Yes, your Grace.” Nanny Green swallowed.
“I do not want her in the kitchens, not when the baker is making his deliveries.” Adrian scowled. “She should not be in the kitchens at all if no one will keep an eye on her.”
“But I had hoped it might encourage her to eat.” Nanny Green said.
“And clearly it has not.” Adrian retorted. “I do not want to keep hearing about my daughter interacting with every Tom, Dick and Harry under the son. I have told you more than enough times that she should be kept away from strangers as much as possible. If you are incapable of watching her, then I may have to think about finding someone more capable of the task.”
“She is young, your Grace. She needs to be allowed to stretch her wings.” Nanny Green said.
Adrian fixed her with a hard look, his voice full of ice. “No. She is a child. And I will not risk any harm coming to her.”
Nanny Green opened her mouth, but Adrian continued before she could say anything. “You know what the wagging mouths of the Ton are like. You know how they circle about like vultures. Desperate for something to write in their gossip rags. Would you like to see her name plastered all about the town to see?”
“Of course not, Your Grace.” Nanny Green shook her head. “But they have no reason to do so, Lady Melody is a child.”
“She is my child.” Adrian gave her a significant look. “How many men like me have had their children used against them? I do not care about my own reputation. But I do care what they might say about her.”
“Of course, your Grace.” Nanny Green nodded.
Adrian could hear the confusion in her voice but he did not care. He did not need to explain himself, did not care if he seemed paranoid.
“You may leave, Nanny Green.” He waved her towards the door.
“Thank you, your Grace.” She curtseyed and left.
“Oh, and Nanny… You will be pleased to know I have found myself a wife.” Adrian watched as the woman froze, like a deer in headlights. “Apparently you have been telling Melody how much I needed one.”
The woman said nothing and Adrian continued. “In future, keep your thoughts and opinions on my personal life to yourself. I would hate to need to find a new, more circumspect governess.”
“Of course, your Grace.” She left the room without saying another word.
Adrian leaned back in his chair and poured himself a whiskey.
Everything is exactly as it should be.
I am the one in control.
Chapter Seven
“Arrogant, cocky, vain, utterly infuriating man!” Natalie exclaimed as she stormed around the garden. Having been cursing about the Duke for some time, she had exhausted her list of expletives and had resorted to more proper insults.
