Page 11 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

She shivered. What made this man think that? Did he see everything she said and did as a threat?

He turned away from her. “You will be his governess and not attempt to make our relationship any more difficult than it already is, or you will leave for London at once.”

Sadie frowned. Was she not already fired? “Are you paying me, Your Grace?”

“Yes. It is a paid position, Miss Fields.”

She did not agree to the position. Nor had she negotiated an agreement. Not that she needed payment to care for Edwin, he was the child of her heart if not her flesh. But if she saved enough, she could afford a little home close to wherever Edwin was. Perhaps Lord Gilleasbuig wasn’t vicious enough to deny her visits from time to time.

“Do we have an understanding?”

She nodded, not sure what to make of him. His words said one thing while his actions suggested another. Either way, he was offering her a chance to remain with Edwin and she would be a fool not to snatch it.

Straightening to his full height, he frowned. “Why are you still in your traveling dress?” His gaze raked over her frame as if seeing her for the first time. “Did the servants not draw you a bath?

“I do not think that is any of your concern, Your Grace.”

His frown deepened. “It is if I requested services that are not delivered.”

Sadie gripped her waist. He was giving her a headache. One moment he was dismissing her and berating her for his son’s lack of table manners, and the next, he was concerned about her bathwater.

“I am still in this dress, Your Grace, because you did not allow me sufficient time to pack. This—” She swiped her hand down the front of her simple, yet sturdy wool dress. “—is not a traveling costume. It is my day dress. Now, my newer silk gown,” she said, biting back a nervous laugh at her absurdity. “Is better suited for the ballroom.”

His lips did not so much as twitch at her attempt at humor.

“And the bath?” he asked.

“The bath they delivered to my room was big enough for a child. If I attempted to sit in it, you would be fishing me out.”

His deep groan sent a bolt of desire to the bottom of her stomach. He turned on his heels towards his quarters, and she exhaled. He was an imposing figure. She doubted he knew how appealing he was, the effect of his nearness on her nerves. When he returned, it was to shove a garment into her hands. “What is this?”

“It is a nightshirt. You may take your bath in my room.”

“I…It’s not proper,” she stammered, pushing the nightshirt away as every part of her body tingled at the suggestion.

“It is only a bath, Miss Fields. I am not offering to scrub your back,” he drawled. “Unless you need my assistance.”

She clenched her teeth, wishing he would stop putting wicked thoughts in her head. “What about you?”

“I will take my bath after. You will find the water is still warm.”

Sadie’s flush deepened. Heat covered every inch of her body. “I cannot,” she protested, though the sound of a warm bath was heavenly.

“Miss Fields, you cannot possibly crawl into bed smelling of horse and travel dust.”

“Horse!” she gasped.

“Precisely!” He gently shoved her into his room and closed the adjoining door.

Sadie stared at the door in shock. More than a few choice words hovered on the tip of her tongue. To think, the insufferable Duke of Montdale House had the gumption to tell her she stunk. She huffed, resisting the urge to sniff her armpits.

Clenching the garment, she took a steadying breath. If he planned to keep her off balance, he was off to a commendable start. She inhaled the scent of his nightshirt and glanced around the room that was a replica of hers. Large four-poster bed with elaborate blue bed covering and embroidered pillows for decor. The air was warm from the crackling fire.

Her fingers sampled the surface, finding the water warm to the touch.

After undressing, she used a lightly lathered washcloth to freshen her gown, cleaning the dust and unwanted odor from the fabric. Next, she rinsed her undergarments before hanging the items close to the fire to dry.

Sadie sighed when the water enveloped her. At the orphanage, her baths were rushed. It seemed no matter how late it was, one or more of the children always needed comforting during the night. Especially during their first nights.

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