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CHAPTER TWO

Madeline Walker couldn’t seem to get the redness from her skin.

She stood in front of the hallway mirror frantically fanning her cheeks with her hands but to no avail.

The blush appeared to have spread across her cheeks and down her neck.

It disappeared into the neckline of her gown, but she could feel the heat across her chest.

Falling into trouble was something Madeline was used too, although this time was the first time she had literally fallen into the arms of a stranger. A handsome stranger no less. The fact that her young student had caught her in such an uncomfortable situation only made her embarrassment worse.

“Ms. Walker, is everything alright?” She heard a man’s voice to her right. She didn’t have to look to know it was the man who rescued her. The tingle across her skin would have let her know.

“Yes, I am just recovering my appearance before returning to help with William’s studies.”

“He seems to be happy enough studying on his own.”

“Yes, but it is my job to offer assistance.”

The man moved closer, until she was able to see his reflection over her shoulder in the mirror.

He was not as tall as the rest of men in the family, but he had the same casual arrogance. Dark hair fell across his forehead and the signature caramel-colored eyes that the men in the family shared stared back at her. That alone would have told her he was one of the Robertson’s.

“I never knew a woman could be a tutor for a young man. William says you are very knowledgeable about science and math, as well as history and literature.”

“I’m also quite proficient in fencing,” she tilted her chin up a bit. “It is important for a young man to have a diverse course of study.”

She saw the slight raise to his eyebrows, but he said nothing. Madeline was used to men having skeptical reactions to her unusual skills.

“You must be the elusive uncle that William is always telling stories about,” she said, turning to face him with as much confidence as she could. “He seems to think you are perfection.”

The man laughed, “I assure you that I am not. I’m Charles, the annoying little brother to the duke.”

“William calls you Charlie.”

“It’s a family nickname, you can feel free to use it as well.”

“I’m not family.”

“You tolerate my brother on a daily basis, that makes you close enough.”

They way Charlie smiled at her exuded charm.

He must smile at all women that way, since he couldn’t be doing it special for a tutor.

Madeline felt the way it made her stomach flutter and forced herself to remember her place.

She straightened up her shoulders and tried to ignore the warmth of the blush in her cheeks.

“His grace is not difficult to tolerate. He is a very kind employer.”

Charlie’s eyes narrowed slightly, looking over her face carefully. “You truly mean that.”

“You could tell if I didn’t?”

“I am very good at knowing when a person is telling a lie.”

“Strange skill for a man like you.”

She hadn’t meant to say that thought out loud, but it made him chuckle. He took a few steps closer, making the space between them so small she could smell the scent of lingering whiskey on him.

“What kind of man is that?” he asked, his voice lowering to a softer, more intimate tone.

Even knowing that they were in full view of anyone walking past, Madeline felt as if the two of them were alone.

The way his eyes looked at her with such warmth it made her feel seen for the first time.

Her mind was telling her not to trust this feeling, because rumor was, he looked at all woman like that.

“An irresponsible charmer who enjoys parties and flirtation.”

“There is a lot of lying involved in flirtation. That’s how it turns into seduction,” he told her, with a sly smile.

“I wouldn’t know anything about seduction.”

“Would like to learn?”

Madeline didn’t know why, but her breath caught and she leaned forward in anticipation.

“A good tutor knows to never stop learning,” Charlie continued, letting his words slide from his lips. “I would be more than happy to give you a lesson.”

He hadn’t touched her, there was still a respectable distance between them, but it felt as if they were intimately entwined.

Madeline could only watch the details of his face as he was watching hers.

she had never been tempted to let a man kiss her before.

Not that they hadn’t tried, but she had become skilled in gentle rejection.

Using her role as a rigid tutor often helped.

Only now she could think of nothing to get her away from him. She didn’t even want to try.

“Would you like to become the student?” Charlie asked.

“I…..”

Madeline didn’t know what she might have said, but she was interuppted by the sound of someone clearing their throat in the background. She looked around Charlie’s shoulder and saw his brother standing there with a scowl on his face.

“Miss Walker, William is looking for you. I sugget you find him and keep him occupied while the duests are here.”

Mortified to be caught in such a pisition for the first time Madeline couldn’t look her emplloyer in the eyes as she walked past him. She must have been gone longer than she thought if William had noticed her absence.