Page 29 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

S he had survived.

Eden had presented her neat list to the Duke of Millbrooke.

In fact, several lists. Verina and Justina had been unable to concentrate on their lessons, so she had sent for Lady Lia and Lady Tia to join them.

Together, the five of them had talked for several hours, honing their suggestions, while she made meticulous notes.

As she finished, Verina would make a copy of her notes so that they would have more than one set to use as a reference.

They had completed everything they could, from the types of games and contests to the rules to the number of entrants for each.

It also listed the number of judges needed for each.

They had created separate lists for booth ideas, and the girls were eager to accompany her into Willowshire.

They would go to some of the various business and offer them the chance to sponsor a booth first before opening it up to individuals.

Lady Tia had likened it to a fair she and her sisters had gone to several years ago, saying the fair had booths that sold everything from jewelry to hats to sewing supplies and ribbons.

She liked how the girls were coming up with such creative ideas and how they wanted to follow through.

Lady Lia said that after they contacted the businesses, she and her twin would go and speak to each of Millvale’s tenants and give them a chance to sell vegetables from their gardens to manning a booth of their own.

The duke had mentioned to them yesterday afternoon when planning had been underway that an announcement would be made at church come Sunday morning, so most of the residents in the area would be made aware of the fete to be held.

The clergyman would also mention it at tonight’s assembly.

Knowing how quickly news could spread, especially at an assembly, Eden would be surprised if most of Willowshire had not heard of the Millvale fete by the time church was held on Sunday morning.

She had watched as the duke read through each of the prepared lists, asking her several questions which she easily answered.

He asked that copies be made, and she proudly told him he could have the lists in his hands because copies had already been drawn up.

Everything between them had been formal and dignified.

She had worried he would bring up the incident in the library, but he had not.

If he had, Eden didn’t know what she would have done.

He had mentioned that he hoped Con could come to the fete, and she hoped his cousin would make time to do so, even if he only came for the day.

When the duke’s questions had run out, Eden excused herself.

He reminded her that he would see her at tea, which would be a heavier meal than usual since no dinner would be served at Millvale this evening.

The assembly started at seven o’clock, and the girls were adamant about being there from beginning to end.

At tea, she hadn’t needed to utter a word because all the younger ladies talked about was the assembly.

They finally began sharing some of what had been planned for the fete with the duchess and countess, and both women approved of the activities.

The only fly in the ointment had been when Millbrooke had mentioned an upcoming meeting with the local clergyman and his wife for the next Friday morning.

He said he would require her presence at the meeting because she was the one actively involved in the planning of the fete.

Though reluctant to go with him and mentioning the lessons which would be missed if she did so, he suggested the girls could ride in the morning after they returned and then do their academic work that afternoon. She had agreed, not wishing to seem peevish or difficult in front of Lady Traywick.

Now, she stood in her room, slipping on a dowdy gown.

While she had been brought up in the country and had never had to dress as smartly as one did for town, she knew nothing in her wardrobe flattered her or was even remotely fashionable.

The gowns she wore were several years old and plainly designed.

Eden told herself that it didn’t matter.

That she was going to look after the four young ladies.

She wasn’t expecting to dance herself. She knew no one in Willowshire, so she doubted anyone might ask her to dance.

Unless the duke did.

Her mouth grew dry thinking of that. Her body tingled in anticipation, and she briskly walked about the room, trying to get over the odd sensation that came whenever she thought about Val.

No, Millbrooke. He could never be Val to her again.

She only hoped that he would draw the attention of others and be too busy to even think of asking her to dance.

Because if he did, she would not have the willpower to say no to him.

At least she could do something special with her hair.

Eden spent a long time brushing it out and then piled it high atop her head.

She also took out a gold locket which had belonged to her mother and fastened it about her neck.

It was the only jewelry she possessed, and she had never had an occasion to wear it since her mother’s death.

She only wished she had a pair of earrings or delicate slippers to help dress up her appearance more.

“Ah, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride,” she said aloud to herself, quoting the old Scottish proverb her father used upon occasion.

Eden needed to look on the best side of tonight.

She would be getting out with the girls.

Hearing music. Watching the dancing. All that in itself would be quite exciting.

She knocked on the connecting door and entered, asking if Verina or Justina needed any help. Bessie, the maid who had accompanied them from Traywick Manor and had cared for the girls, finished smoothing Verina’s gown.

“They are ready except for their hair, Miss Snow,” the maid said. “You have a knack for doing so which I lack.”

Justina sat at the dressing table. “Do me first, Miss Snow. What do you think?”

They had endlessly talked of hairstyles since learning of the monthly assembly, and Eden had visualized what she thought would suit each of her charges. She now dressed Justina’s hair and then Verina’s, seeing both girls were pleased.

“Thank you so much, Miss Snow,” Verina said. “We are beautiful, thanks to you.”

“I look older,” Justina said. “Don’t you think I look older?”

“You both look lovely,” she complimented. “And before you know it, you will look older. You will be a matron with graying hair and a houseful of children and wonder where the time went.”

They laughed at her words, and Verina said, “If you are not a companion to Mama, Miss Snow, you must come and teach my children. All five of them.”

“Five?” she asked.

“At least,” Verina said. “I want five or six.”

“Then I want seven or eight,” Justina retorted, trying to outdo her sister.

“Husbands first, then you may negotiate the number of children,” she said, her heart light.

They went to the foyer, where the Duke of Millbrooke paced. Lady Lia and Lady Tia were already there. She deliberately kept her eyes off his tall frame and tailored clothes, focusing on his sisters instead.

“You will break a good number of hearts next Season,” Eden predicted.

“I hope I do not,” Lady Lia said worriedly.

“I hope I break many,” Lady Tia countered. “I cannot wait to do our Season. It will be so much fun.”

She decided Lady Lia would be the first to wed between them, and Lady Tia would take her time and enjoy a few Seasons before she grew serious about marriage.

“The carriage is waiting,” the duke said.

They went outside, Millbrooke handing up each of them. She came last, as she should, and he frowned.

“Is something wrong, Your Grace?”

“You are beautiful, Eden,” he said softly. “I only wished you had a gown which would allow you to shine.”

A lump formed in her throat. “Thank you,” she said softly, accepting his compliment without disparaging him.

When she climbed in, she saw Lady Lia, Lady Tia, and Justina sat on one of the cushions, while Verina had taken a spot opposite them, against the window.

She wished the girl would sit in the center so that Verina could act as a buffer between her and the duke, but she did not know how to ask Verina to move without drawing attention.

Eden took the spot by the other window, leaving the duke to sit between them.

As he did, she caught the whiff of his cologne, which caused a great yearning to ripple through her.

His entire left side pressed against her right, and her body welcomed the heat, even as her mind warred against the pleasure she felt touching him.

They arrived in the village at the assembly room, and Verina and Justina were more excited than she had ever seen them.

Their party of six entered the rooms, and she saw a group of musicians tuning their instruments.

The room was large but already crowded, and she knew at some point, she would need to drink some punch and get some fresh air, not particularly liking large crowds.

Immediately, others made their way toward them.

After all, a duke always drew attention wherever he went.

Soon, the girls were asking for permission to dance and introducing her and Millbrooke to their prospective partners.

She approved of the partners for the first set.

None of them were what Eden would consider too mature.

Fortunately, the duke was swept away from where she stood by a viscount’s sister. Now, she could relax and take a seat and enjoy watching the girls dance.

“Miss Snow? It is Miss Snow, isn’t it?”

She turned and found a gentleman who looked to be in his early to mid-thirties, fair-haired and blue-eyed. He was just under six feet and had the nicest smile.

“Yes, I am Miss Snow, governess to Lady Verina and Lady Justina Fulton.”

“I hope you do not think me too forward in introducing myself to you. Country rules are more relaxed. I am Lord Arden.”

Eden had heard his name before. “Oh, you own the property which abuts Millvale.”

“Yes, that is correct. Might I ask you to dance this first set with me, Miss Snow? I know you were charged to look after His Grace’s sisters and nieces, but it seems they all will be dancing.”

Suddenly, Eden wanted to dance very much.

“Yes, my lord. I would be happy to partner with you.”

Lord Arden led her onto the dance floor, and soon the fiddles were playing and she was twirling, happy to have been asked to dance. The set went on for a good twenty minutes, and she found herself out of breath by the time it ended.

“Shall I fetch some punch for you, Miss Snow?” Lord Arden asked as he escorted her off the dance floor.

“I could certainly use a cup,” she replied. “Yes, my lord. Please do so.”

He returned her to where he had claimed her, and the others joined her.

All four girls radiated happiness. New partners showed up, and she was introduced to all of them.

Lord Arden joined their group and whispered in her ear a thing or two about who was requesting a dance.

Eden gave her approval and then sipped on her punch as the girls went to talk to others from the village before the second set began.

“The punch is quite good,” Lord Arden remarked. “And you are a wonderful dancer, Miss Snow.”

“Thank you, my lord. You are, as well.”

“I try my best. I dance with my girls every night before they go to bed.”

“Oh, you have daughters?” She looked about. “Is Lady Arden here with them?”

Sadness crossed his face. “Lady Arden died giving birth to our younger girl, who recently turned five. My older daughter is eight. Obviously, they are too young to attend the village assemblies.”

“I am sorry for your loss, my lord. My own parents have been gone almost six years now, and not a day goes by when I do not mourn their absence from my life.”

“My wife was a good woman,” he said. “And an excellent mother. I only wish my girls could remember her. I had a painting done of Lady Arden shortly after we wed. I take the girls to look at it every day and tell them stories about her.” He sighed. “She is simply a pretty lady in a picture to them.”

“Keep doing what you are doing, my lord,” Eden encouraged. “One day, they will be old enough to understand, as well as remember the stories you tell them. In fact, I think they will be eager to hear more from you.”

“I hope so. But I feel it is time I move on. The girls need a mother—and I need an heir.”

He looked at her intently, and it took her aback.

Was this gentleman considering her for that role? Goodness, they had only met. And yet she liked him already, quite a bit. He seemed like a good father, and that meant a lot in her eyes. She was reading things into the situation, though, which simply were not there.

“It looks as if the music is ready to start again.” Lord Arden looked at her hopefully. “Would you care to take to the dance floor again, Miss Snow?”

“Yes, my lord. I would.”

Once more, Eden thoroughly enjoyed her time dancing with this gentleman. Perhaps he needed a governess for his own girls, and that was why he was getting to know her a bit. She would have to refuse, of course, because she still had three years left at Traywick Manor.

Lord Arden returned her again, and one by one, the girls joined her. Others appeared, and she was introduced to different people in the village, but Lord Arden remained by her side. When the girls went out for a third time, after receiving Eden’s approval, Lord Arden smiled.

“I would ask you to dance again, Miss Snow, but that would keep you from meeting others.”

Suddenly, the Duke of Millbrooke was at her elbow.

“Miss Snow promised me this set, Arden. If you will excuse us.”

He placed her hand atop his sleeve and guided her to the center of the room, where a square was forming.

“I did not promise you anything,” she hissed.

“If I had not stepped in, Arden would have danced with you a third time.”

“No, he had just told me that he would not be asking me again.”

For a moment, the duke had no reply. Then he said, “You owe me a dance. After all, we are old friends.”

Before Eden could reply, the music began again.