Page 22 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Theodore had seenLady Beryl and her cousins go into the garden, but only her cousins returned. He waited for a moment longer before he decided to check on her. He would be discreet. Theodore used an alternative entrance to the garden and searched for Lady Beryl. He heard the gentle whispers of her sobs before he saw her. He wondered at the cause of her distress, but he did not want to startle her. He stopped at a respectable distance.
“Lady Beryl. I do not mean to impose, but you appear quite upset. What is causing you such distress?” Theodore ensured his tone was soothing.
Lady Beryl spun around to face him, and he could see her tear-streaked face. The tears did not detract from her beauty. She was stunning in the pale moonlight, and his heart drummed against his ribs. Theodore saw the pain in her eyes. He knew that it was really none of his affair, but he did not like that she was so upset.
“You always have a way of showing up uninvited,” Lady Beryl snapped.
Her reaction caused Theodore to raise his brow, but she spoke before he could utter a word.
“I apologize, Lord Bowden. That was uncalled for.” She sighed heavily.
Lady Beryl used her fingers to brush the tears away, and then she hiccupped.
Theodore gave her an understanding nod. “I will only accept your apology if you share what unsettled you.”
He saw the emotions play out on her face, and it appeared that she was wrestling with deciding whether she would share the information or not. Yet, worry had creased her brows.
“You may find some relief if you unburden yourself of your troubles,” Theodore gently urged.
Lady Beryl hesitated, then a breath shuddered from her. “There has been a terrible misunderstanding, and my cousins have said I need to return to Chalfont House immediately and pack my things.”
Theodore lightly touched her shoulder. “What misunderstanding?”
Lady Beryl opened her mouth and then closed it. Theodore waited.
“You asked me to dance, and so did Earl Stanmore. My cousins concluded that I must be trying to win your favor and upstage cousin Grace.”
Lady Beryl appeared drained and weighed down by the events, and his heart reached out to her. The poor woman. Had she not been through enough?
“What utter nonsense! I am sure your cousin would have received several requests to dance before the evening ended.” Theodore wondered how her family could treat her this way.
Lady Beryl hiccupped. “You do not understand. They would only have been happy if I did not receive any attention at all. Now I must leave their home and make a way for myself. I cannot imagine what to do!”
Theodore lifted his hand and then lowered it. “That would have been impossible. You are certainly the most beautiful woman in the room. I can assure you that every gentleman has noticed you.”
Lady Beryl gave him a weak smile; at least the tears had stopped. He did not seek to flatter her. He could never tire of gazing at her comely features. Theodore felt the overwhelmingneed to fix the situation. There was a way that he could offer her support, and a thought formed in Theodore’s mind. It could be the perfect solution for Lady Beryl’s predicament and his.
Theodore flashed an encouraging smile. “I have a proposal that would be of mutual benefit.”
Lady Beryl frowned before she cautiously asked, “A proposal?”
He tilted his head back. “Fear not. It is not the indecent sort. You may remember that I mentioned my nieces … Louise is seven and Mattie is five. They need a governess, and you are in need of a home. I am sure we can come to an arrangement.”
“A governess!”
“Yes. Will you consider it?”
Lady Beryl rubbed the back of her neck. She shifted her weight from one leg to the next as if she could not get comfortable. She darted a gaze at his face. “After everything that has transpired between us, my lord, I am not sure that is a good idea.”
Theodore hesitated and weighed his words. “All that transpired. Do you mean the kiss?” he casually asked.
Theodore’s eyes dropped to her lips as he recalled their sweet taste and how she melted into the kiss. So responsive. He pushed the thought from his mind.
“Yes, the kiss,” she said, flushing.
“I am not totally without honor, Lady Beryl. I do not have relations with women that are in my employ. It would be entirely inappropriate to carry on with a member of my household staff. If that is your concern, you need not worry.”
The tension visibly left her. He continued, “If I am honest, I have not been the best of uncles. I have been absent for far too long, which has done nothing to help me connect with my nieces. I … I do not know how … how to be the father figure they need.”
