Page 18 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

ChapterEight

“We are here,” Gill said.

Sadie shoved aside the curtains as the carriage started down a narrow pebbled road, then an even narrower cobblestone drive. Thick trees parted to reveal a large front lawn, manicured hedges, and roses in bloom. Her breath caught as the large home came into view. It was easily three times the size of the orphanage they left behind.

At the end of the drive, servants lined the stairs. The moment the carriage stopped, a liveried servant yanked the door open.

“Welcome home, Your Grace.”

“Thank you, Monroe. It is good to be home.” He helped Sadie, then Edwin out of the carriage before introducing them to the staff.

Her stomach fluttered as she met each servant. Though he introduced her as Edwin’s governess, there was a thread in his voice—a softness in which he spoke her name—that hinted at something more.

Following Lord Gilleasbuig up the stairs, she pushed the image aside. He was showing her kindness, nothing more. It would do her no good to imagine impossible things.

The valet took his coat, and she couldn’t help her gaze from skimming over Gill’s broad shoulders and the close fit of his vest. He sported no gut or excess flesh as so many noblemen in London did. With a vast estate to manage, surely, he hadn’t the time to be idle.

He knelt before Edwin. “Go with Mary. She will see you cleaned and fed.”

“Come along, young Lord.” Mary extended her hand.

“I can help—” Sadie started.

“Mary can manage,” Gill said, then turned to his butler. “Hodgkin, see their luggage taken to the second floor.”

“Right away, Your Grace.”

Gill headed for the stairwell then paused. “Are you coming, Miss Fields?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” she managed. Her feet grew heavy as she followed him. Wasn’t she to stay on the first floor with the other servants? At the orphanage, she had her own room, but had spent many nights in the nursery.when the children were particularly fussy, or a new babe was brought to the home.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to share a room with Edwin until further arrangements can be made.”

She breathed a sigh of relief a second before her blood heated. He opened a door to a room that did not resemble any nursery she had ever seen.

Royal blue and gold drapes hung from the windows before he pushed them back to let in what was left of the afternoon sunlight. The bed, pillows, and small sitting area sported the same royal blue fabrics. It was lovely…a rich cloth that spoke to the Duke in residence.

“The room has a private water closet.” He opened a door to reveal a vanity and copper tub.

Her finger skimmed the large bed. It was easily big enough for four souls.

“I trust you find these accommodations suitable?” he said, standing directly behind her.

“It’s lovely.”

“If you ever have a need for me, I am through those doors.”

Her eyes widened, and she spun to face him, too fast to anticipate just how close he was. Her hands shot out for balance, resting against his chest. Her next breath burned her throat until she exhaled in a shuddering whoosh of air. When her head tilted to look at him, his gaze bore into hers and she licked her lips to dispel their dryness.

“There must be another… I cannot stay in this room.”

“And why not?”

“This room belongs to your wife. It would be improper—”

“I have no wife, Miss Fields.”

Dear lord. Those words should not have sent a flutter to her core, but they did. Her fingers curled, nails biting into the fabric of his vest. “Even more reason why it is not appropriate.”

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