Page 17 of Duke of Eccess (Seven Dukes of Sin #4)
The next evening, Temperance stood before her small looking glass, pinning her hair into its severe governess hairstyle with shaking hands.
The way Octavius had looked at her in the candlelit corridor, the rough tenderness in his voice when he’d asked about her childhood, when he had been angry on her behalf…
And what about the moment when she’d seen him naked in his bedchamber, doing something intimate and wonderful?
He’d looked like the epitome of masculine energy, a beautiful, powerful male, unapologetic about his wishes and desires…
There was something so appealing about that.
She wondered what it was like to live that way.
Even now, hours later, the intimacy of finding him undressed sent warmth spiraling through her chest.
She’d barely slept, replaying every moment—how he’d helped James, been gentle and patient with the boy.
How he’d stood so close to her afterwards, close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from his body through the thin fabric of her nightgown.
How for one breathless moment, she’d thought he might kiss her. Worse—she’d wanted him to.
You’re exactly what we need. What I need.
His words echoed in her mind as Temperance smoothed her plain brown gown and checked that every curl was properly contained. She’d felt something shift between them last night, a recognition that this could be more than employer and governess. That they could be…what? A family?
The thought terrified and thrilled her in equal measure. For the first time since Papa’s death, she’d glimpsed what it might feel like to truly belong somewhere. To be wanted not for her fortune or her bloodline, but for herself.
She never wanted a husband—someone who would control her. And the Duke of Eccess was determined to live a life without scandal to get the presidency and the last thing he needed was a wife wrapped in it.
Just until Christmas , she reminded herself. Then you claim your inheritance and disappear from his life forever.
But the reminder felt hollower than ever. Last night had changed something fundamental. Temperance was no longer just hiding in his house. She was starting to care for it. For them. For him.
Well, she couldn’t stare at her reflection all day; she had a job to do.
Temperance exited the room and went to collect the children from their bedchambers, and when the three of them were ready, they descended to the middle floor of the Duke of Eccess’s townhouse.
The sound of laughter and voices coming from the entrance hallway made Temperance halt on the stairs, the children still descending before her.
From here, she could see the guests arriving.
Beautiful gowns whirling, the sparkle of jewels, and the click of men’s boots against the floor.
“Are you coming, Miss Fields?” asked Sophie, who looked back at her.
“Yes.” Temperance pressed out a smile. “Of course I am.”
As she carefully descended the stairs, feeling as though every step was slipping away from under her feet.
She wondered what the chances were her stepmother and Lord Langston would be here.
There were many noble ladies and gentlemen of the ton in London, perhaps fewer now in winter, but it was still possible.
Yet her family had never been connected with Eccess, and she’d never heard her stepmother mention the duke.
So why was she so worried her stomach was turning itself inside out?
Temperance and the children entered the salon, where about twenty people had already gathered, talking in small groups.
She recognized the Duchesses of Rath, Luhst, and Pryde, as well as their husbands.
The Dukes of Enveigh, Irevrence, and Fortyne were also there, and the Duke of Enveigh’s gaze warmed as their eyes met.
Fortunately, she saw no sign of Lady Auster or Lord Langston.
Tension melted from her shoulder blades.
The Duke of Eccess, who stood at the doors greeting the arriving guests, took her breath away.
“You’re here,” he greeted the three children. “Very well. Enjoy yourselves, but do show me you know how to behave.”
“If I can just get some cognac…” muttered James with a cheeky grin. He was clearly feeling back to his usual mischievous self. Temperance tried to suppress a smile in response.
“No cognac,” grumbled his guardian. “And no pistols.”
“My first soirée,” said Sophie proudly.
“Behave well,” said the Duke of Eccess, “and it won’t be your last.”
The young girl straightened her back. “I will. James might not, but I will.”
James threw her a scowl.
Margaret was indeed like a little lady and held her head gracefully, her eyes burning with excitement as she looked around the room. “I shall greet the guests—as the lady of the house.”
Octavius chuckled with soft mirth as his gaze met Temperance’s. “Very well, Miss Fields, it seems the children are prepared. Do keep an eye on them.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
She curtsied, and as she passed by him, the warmth of his brown eyes followed her, making her chest flutter with butterflies. His signature scent—leather, vanilla, and sandalwood—sent tingling down her legs.
As Temperance walked farther into the room, she positioned herself where she could best supervise the children. She stood by their side as they greeted the six dukes and the three duchesses, who seemed delighted to see the children despite what had happened on St. Nicholas Day.
Five or so steps away from the group, she heard broken conversation that made her cheeks burn in shame and her throat tighten in panic. “…have you heard…the Mad Heiress is still on the run?”
“Can you imagine the horror Lady Auster is going through? The misery that insane girl brought to a countess after her husband had passed?”
Heat crawled up Temperance’s chest, her neck and face on fire.
“Poor Lady Auster,” said a third woman’s voice. “If ever one of my girls would become dangerous like that!”
Dangerous… Temperance’s vision blurred at the edges.
The first woman clicked her tongue. “Science…electric fluid…what sane young woman would occupy her time with things like that?”
“Indeed…” said the second woman. “Her place is in Bedlam. Nothing but scandal lies there. Any family connected to Lady Agatha would be tainted forever.”
Temperance’s ribs began to close in, and she had to fight through every breath. For a moment she feared she was going to faint, but a tall, imposing figure stood between her and the three gossiping women.
It was the Duke of Enveigh.
As he started a conversation that Temperance barely paid attention to, her mind focused on his words and whatever she could say to reply.
When he masterfully guided her away from the group, she felt relief cooling her skin.
He knew her secret…and even though there was no threat for now, he had power over her—and that set her teeth on edge.
“I brought this,” he said lightly. “For James.”
The Duke of Enveigh revealed an old silver pocket watch adorned with intricate engravings.
The glass cover was cracked and scratched, with Roman numerals still visible and rather ornate hands.
“It’s old and doesn’t work at the moment.
Requires repair, I imagine. Would you object if I gave it to him?
I thought giving him a less destructive object to study might benefit him…
but I wanted to ask you first in case you had another plan. ”
Temperance studied the man. Steely gray eyes were somehow warm upon her. “How thoughtful of you,” she murmured. “I do not object. I think James would be delighted.”
The Duke of Enveigh nodded, his lips stretching in a slight smile. “Very well, then I shall give it to him.”
She nodded, trying not to think about how she’d been cornered. Margaret was watching her curiously. “Thank you.”
“I also…” The Duke of Enveigh grinned. “I wondered if it would be too forward, or perhaps undesirable, as you’re trying to avoid the public, but I doubt Lady Auster and her nephew attend such events, given they claim you electrocuted her…”
Temperance frowned, something heavy settling on her breastbone. “What events?”
“There’s a demonstration in six days at the Egyptian Hall on Piccadilly—the Marvels of Electricity. They’re supposedly going demonstrate the electric kiss.”
His gaze dropped to her lips as he said “kiss,” and she tensed—a complete opposite to the way the Duke of Eccess made her feel. The attentions of this man felt foreign, wrong.
“Electric kiss?” Temperance asked lightly, as though she had no real interest in the matter.
He nodded. “I thought, given your interest in electric fluid, that might be something you would enjoy. I’d like to take you. I would ensure all propriety, of course, and your safety and security from the attentions of those you wish to avoid.”
This sounded like courting . He was too nice to her, too thoughtful, was he not? The Duke of Enveigh didn’t know her, not really, and now he was trying to take her out for an evening of amusement?
Were his attentions because of her…or her money?
He alone knew the truth of her identity.
If he helped her guard her fortune until she could legally inherit it, then offered marriage, he’d benefit from her money.
She’d be putting herself into the prison of yet another man like Bartholomew—perhaps kinder, but still a man who would legally own her.
Even if he were a kind, decent man, he would have all control legally.
The very thought made Temperance instinctively search for an escape route.
Her gaze found Octavius across the room, sulking at the doors and staring at her and Enveigh, her employer’s eyebrows drawn, his jaw sharp and moving angrily.
She appreciated Enveigh’s thoughtfulness, but it was best she stopped any hopes he might have towards her.
“I’m afraid that would be unwise,” she said as politely as she could manage. “As fascinating as that sounds.”