Page 19 of Duke of Eccess (Seven Dukes of Sin #4)

She managed to stay upright, fighting to keep her breath even, and slowly wobbled through the snow around the house to the servants’ door. Her ankle was getting better with every step, though she was still favoring her leg as she climbed the servants’ stairs with one thought in her mind.

She had to leave.

It took Temperance five minutes to gather her meager belongings. What she needed was money—her wages. She’d spent under two weeks here now, and the wages the Duke of Eccess had promised would help her find accommodation. It might even be enough that she wouldn’t need to seek out another position.

Her heart was splitting in two as she thought of the children. She’d be the seventh governess to leave them…

Despite her aching ankle, Temperance managed to descend the servants’ stairs and asked one of the footmen to ask the duke to speak with her by the servants’ door at the back of the house.

The Duke of Eccess came a few minutes later, frowning, and just one glance at her pelisse and her bag in her hands had him scowling in earnest. In the dim light behind the stairwell, Temperance felt exposed under his penetrating stare.

He stepped close enough that she could see the concern flickering beneath his anger, close enough that his presence filled the small space entirely. “What’s all this, Miss Fields?”

“I am sorry. I have to ask for my wages and give you my immediate resignation.”

“Your resignation?”

The sight of his dark brown eyes forced a pleasant shiver to run through her. “I’m afraid so. Immediately. Please give me my wages, Your Grace, and you may return to your guests.”

A storm brewed behind his now almost black eyes. His jaw set in a hard line as he regarded her, his massive chest moving quickly. “Why?”

Temperance swallowed. Her mind raced to find a reason that wouldn’t offend him or the children but couldn’t find one. Panic and fear had made her mind stiff, unthinking. Something about her family needing her…but what family? She was entangled in so many lies she didn’t know what to say.

“Are you running away with him?” The Duke of Eccess moved closer, and she instinctively stepped back until the cold stone wall pressed against her spine.

The shock of his question made her blink. “Who?”

Temperance’s breath caught as his hands came up to brace against the wall on either side of her head. She was trapped by the heat radiating from his body and the intensity in his dark eyes.

“Enveigh. I’ve seen how the two of you keep whispering, always trying to find a quiet place to talk alone?—”

“Your Grace?—”

“Did he seduce you? By God, has he dishonored you?” The Duke of Eccess’s voice became low and so full of threat she felt it reverberate in her ribs.

“No! How dare you think I would?—”

He inhaled sharply, then exhaled. “Forgive me. You’re right, but it wasn’t your honor I was questioning.”

Temperance blinked, hardly knowing what to think about such an accusation. “I…I assure you my resignation has nothing to do with the duke.”

His hands dropped to her shoulders, the touch surprisingly gentle. The warmth of his palms seeped through her dress, and she had to fight the urge to lean into his strength.

“Is it the children? Is it me?” The Duke of Eccess’s voice was barely more than a whisper, and she felt his breath blossom against her forehead. “It must be me. You have the three rascals eating from the palm of your hand. You’re the first governess who’s made a difference?—”

“It’s not the children or you.” Temperance couldn’t bear for the children to think it was because of them when she’d gladly keep working with them and live in this house, with him.

“What then?”

She tried to step sideways, escape the overwhelming nearness of him, and as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other a sharp flinch betrayed the pain in her ankle.

His gaze snapped downward, catching the movement. “Are you hurt?”

“I stumbled, it’s nothing.”

The Duke of Eccess’s hand caught her wrist. His grip was gentle but firm, his thumb finding her frantic pulse. “Don’t lie to me.”

Temperance did not wish to, but how could she tell the truth? “I have to go, Your Grace. I’m afraid the work is too challenging.”

She felt herself drowning in the concern she saw in his eyes. His free hand came up to cup her cheek, tilting her face towards him. “So it is the children?”

“N-no. They’re wonderful human beings in need of proper guidance and love. It’s just… I’m tired.”

“I’ll give you anything you demand, Miss Fields. Anything. I’ll give you weekends off. I’ll raise your salary twice.”

“No, that is not?—”

“Three times.”

“Your Grace?—”

“Four times. And if you say the work is too hard, I’ll make it easier. I can see how your life is all about work, work, work. You are not indulging, not enjoying anything. I’ll rectify that.”

Temperance swallowed hard. She wished she could tell him the truth. It was not from him and the children nor the work that she was running but from the asylum…or a forced marriage that would destroy her.

But she had already lied. If she told him the truth now, she risked him telling her stepmother…

Quiet steps sounded from behind the door, and when it opened, Margaret was standing there.

The Duke of Eccess immediately dropped his hands and stepped back, but Temperance felt the loss of his warmth like a physical ache.

Her skin still tingled where he’d touched her, and she had to press her hands against her sides to keep from reaching for him.

“I thought I heard voices…” The girl’s gaze dropped to the travel bag. “Are you leaving, Miss Fields?” Her voice wavered, pain cracking it.

Temperance’s stomach dropped. “I—I’m?—”

“It’s us, isn’t it?” Margaret asked, tears in her eyes. “James said he saw you step out. We’re too much. No one can stand us.”

No. She couldn’t leave.

Even if Temperance was caught and thrown into the asylum, she couldn’t have the children thinking they were at fault. The Duke of Eccess was right—she was making progress with them. If she left them like this, just when they’d started to improve, it could break them. She didn’t want to hurt them.

“No,” Temperance said and pressed out a smile. “N-no. I’m not leaving.”

Her mind whirled, desperately trying to find a solution. She should ask him to excuse her from social events. That was so much more important than high wages.

But that would seem suspicious. What governess would make such an unusual request without a compelling reason?

How many more questions would he then pose?

A governess who refused to accompany her charges in polite company would either seem incompetent or appear to be hiding something.

Surely Lady Auster and Lord Langston wouldn’t attend any more social events at the house before Christmas—and if they did, she’d feign illness and stay in the children’s bedchamber.

“I’m not leaving after all,” Temperance said as brightly as she could manage. “I was, for a moment, but his grace is an excellent negotiator and a great employer. It has nothing to do with you, nor your siblings. I…I couldn’t be more delighted to stay.”

But how long could she hide when her tormentors were clearly well-connected with the Duke of Eccess?