Page 9 of The Governess Teaches A Duke (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #34)

Chapter Eight

T he dining room was not usually a space of mirth.

It could, at times, contain a steady stream of chatter or polite nonsense, but usually meals were silent and what he preferred.

However, tonight was the first time he could recall where the silence—the absence of any words, just the clinking of cutlery—made him feel awkward.

He—a duke, a man of standing, of import—was uncomfortable seated at his own dining table as a result of a simple governess.

A simple governess whose honied voice he yearned to hear.

Looking at her, he gave a small shake of his head.

The chit is anything but simple , he conceded begrudgingly.

Her manners were impeccable. Put the latest fashionable gown on her body, and she would be comparable with any lady of standing.

The cream and brown of her ensemble on their own were dull, nondescript colours.

On her body, he could not help but note the way the cream brought out the softness of her skin.

The brown skirts drew warmth from her chestnut eyes.

He was trying to eat, focusing on his next mouthful, but the tightening in his groin kept making him place his fork down.

Her movements were dainty, her small bites chewed slowly, and for a moment, he wanted to laugh at how oblivious she was to the tension suffocating the room. Or so he thought.

“Is there a problem Your Grace?” she asked without looking at him.

“Problem?” he repeated, caught by surprise.

“Yes. A problem. You keep looking at me in the most peculiar way.”

Damn her! But why does her besting me delight me at the same time?

“Is that so? And how would you know that I have been watching you? You have not turned my way, not once.”

In response, she finally looked up and made eye contact. And she smiled. A wicked, seductive smile.

“Well now I know for certain, as you just confirmed it. Your Grace.”

Termagant! It seemed she was determined to infuriate him! And the way she addressed him—she said the right words, Your Grace , but he noted the hint of disdain when she did so.

“Well played, Maribel. Savour the moment, as it is not often, if at all, that you will best me. And when we are alone, you can call me Thomas. See if my name can roll off your tongue with less disdain than when you address me by my standing.”

Ahh, the hint of a rosy blush taints her creamy cheeks .

Momentarily mollified by the abrupt turn of events and having gained the upper hand, he kept talking.

“If you must know, I was admiring your table manners.”

“I hope they meet expectation?”

“They do, I believe my daughter is in capable and well-cultured hands.”

He had not meant for his voice to drop to a low octave that suggested flirtation. And for all her innocence, it was not lost on her, as her blush now burned claret red. He knew he was toying with her. She also knew it. There was a steely glint in her eye that belied her flushed face.

“Lady Clara has much potential in many areas if she applies herself.” Her voice was calm as she tried to gain control of the conversation.

“Your daughter is very clever and has much imagination and energy, and my aim is to channel this potential into her lessons.”

“Very good, Miss Lewisham, very good. I take it she has yet to scare you away then.”

“I do not scare very easily, Your Grace.”

She boldly met his gaze as she spoke, sending a veiled warning as he entwined his fingers under his chin and placed his elbows on the table.

“No, I can see you do not. I wonder why that is? Why you are so bold?”

She faltered under his intense gaze, unable to hold the eye contact any longer.

“As I informed you, I have younger twin brothers. They oft tried my patience with foolish pranks and wilful ignorance. But I am grateful for such, as they bolstered my fortitude.”

“And you lived with your brothers and family in the town of Cheltenshire. What does your father do?”

“He and my uncle are linen drapers and share duties between their shops in Cheltenshire and London. My mother is also a skilled seamstress, whose tutelage I have benefited from.”

As he had expected, a middle-class upbringing, but why a governess? She could have made a fine match with a young man in her class. Realising he could just ask her, making himself the bold one, he did. Her face flushed again as surprise opened her eyes wide.

“Why did you choose the solitary life of a governess and not a marriage and family of your own?”

She clearly found this line of questioning inappropriate, and the room was silent as he awaited her answer. Or perhaps she would not answer, as the silence grew.

“I love to learn, and I love to impart what I learn. When you become a wife, those opportunities diminish as your time is spent caring for others and a home. I had the benefit of choosing my path, and this is the one I chose.”

Her words were so heartfelt that it gave him a pang of guilt for being so forthright this evening. All he had cared for was abating his own curiosity.

“I apologise, Miss Lewisham, if I have overstepped in any line of questioning tonight. I just found myself very curious.”

To his surprise, she chuckled, bringing her dainty hand up to her mouth to mute the lilting sound.

“You find my apology amusing?” He raised his eyebrows in enquiry laced with amusement.

“No, no, Your Grace. It was your use of the word curiosity. I read to Lady Clara today the myth of Pandora’s box, which, as you would know, is a tale that explores the follies of curiosity. Lady Clara, in her own words, found Pandora hasty and selfish.”

“That does explain your mirth but now leads me to question whether your meaning is that I am hasty and selfish?” Her impertinence had escaped again, and this time, instead of feeling infuriated at her lack of respect for their class differences, he found himself aroused by her nerve.

“That was not my intent, I misspoke,” she said hastily, realising her faux pas. He was about to respond, to continue their sparring of words, when she stood abruptly.

“It is getting late Your Grace, if you will please excuse me, I shall retire for the evening.”

Disappointed that she was ending their exchanges of wits, he simply nodded.

Maybe I should have gone to London.