Page 76 of The Duke's Pet

Chapter Sixteen

Jemima didn’t get whatshe’d hoped for back at the manor house. The duke saw to it that she had food then set to work sorting out his pictures. It seemed he’d been inspired by her idea after all.

He set up two piles, one pile that could definitely go to the grotto once it was repaired and aired, and another of possibilities.

She couldn’t deny she was a little put out not to have his attention, and he noticed her mood when she roughly tossed another log onto the fire.

“Whatever is the matter?” he asked, pausing in his business.

“Nothing.”

“So sit quietly.”

She poked her lips forward, wishing she’d never made the suggestion.

“Hey.” He stepped up to her and caught her chin. “Are you sulking?”

“No, Sir.”

“Being petulant?”

“No, Sir.”

“Pouting?”

She shook her head within his hold.

“I’m not so sure.” He frowned. “Sit, as I told you already and I will find you something to do, little kitten.”

“I don’t want to be your little kitten.”

“You are here to do as I bid, now sit and take that look off your face before I spank your pretty little ass again.”

Jemima knew when not to push her luck so she sat with her hands on her lap. A few minutes later he set a book over them.

“Here,” he said. “The words you learned this morning are in this book. Find them.”

She flicked it open. The task was impossible. The writing was tiny, and there was so much of it.

“One word of complaint and you will be over my knee faster than you can say deadly nightshade.”

She bit on her bottom lip and dipped her head. She didn’t fancy another spanking.

Evidently satisfied that she would do as instructed, he continued with his task, occasionally muttering to himself when he couldn’t find what he was looking for.

Jemima found three of the animals she’d learned that morning, the letters pleasingly familiar in the order she recognized but then gave up searching. Instead she sat back and stared at the fire. The clock struck five, then six, and then seven.

“Ah, dinner will be served.” The duke gestured to the door. “Go and eat. I will join you soon.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Yes.”

She glanced over her shoulder before she pulled the door closed. He appeared to already have forgotten about dinner.

She ate alone. The duke didn’t appear. And afterwards, instead of going back to the study, she decided to go upstairs. She’d rather be in the bedroom than having to stare at a book full of words she didn’t understand.

She slipped into bed and stared out at the moon. Again it was full, though now long skinny clouds kept drifting in front of it, slicing its silver orb in half.

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