Page 23 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Lady Beryl’s gaze flashed up to meet his, and the compassion pulled him into their depths. His heart squeezed. At this moment, he felt ashamed of his behavior toward the children. He did not deserve Lady Beryl’s compassion.
“In what way do you deem yourself lacking?”
Theodore raked his fingers through his hair. This is not something he would want to discuss, but she deserved his honesty. “I am afraid I have not spent enough time talking and listening to them since William passed away. I may not agree with my uncle on many things, but on this, we agree. My nieces deserve more, and I should start looking out for their interests. You would make a good governess. You are a lady and clearly well educated.”
Lady Beryl took a deep breath and smoothed her hands down her gown. “To be fair, I had thought of becoming a governess, but it meant accepting that I had fallen on hard times and needed to work to care for myself. Although it was an unfortunate situation I found myself in, I resisted the idea.” Lady Beryl folded her hands across her chest and hugged herself.
“We did not discuss your wages. You will be paid three hundred pounds per year.”
Beryl gasped. “That is very generous of you, my lord. I would be able to put money aside for my retirement.”
Theodore waited and listened. Patience.
“Thank you for your kind offer. I will accept the position,” she said.
Theodore rubbed his hands together. “Excellent, I will make arrangements with staff at Bowden Park. They will have a room prepared for you. I will not tarry in London. I have matters of business to attend to, but once that is done, I will return to the countryside. You should go to Chalfont House, pack your belongings, and take them to Bowden Park. I will arrange a carriage to collect you as the stage can be uncomfortable.”
This time, her smile was heartfelt, and it radiated with loveliness. His gaze was fixed on her soft lips. Their kiss played across Theodore’s mind even though he tried not to think about it. A pleasant chill ran over his skin and tingled down his spine. He wanted to take her into his arms right now. It was possible; after all, they were somewhere private. Theodore heard her gasp, and when his gaze found her eyes, he saw a soft flame flicker in their depths. He was warmed by the knowledge that she felt it too.
The air was charged between them, and there did not seem to be enough. His breath caught in his throat. The impulse to taste her lips was almost overpowering. Theodore’s heart was already at a quick trot that raced toward a gallop. Theodore could not resist.
“There is something that I need right now.” He was almost taken aback by the edgy rasp in his voice.
She held his gaze, and it was dark and intense. His heart thumped, one beat, then another as he remained lost in her captive blue eyes. Her tongue quickly darted out and licked her lips. His mouth went dry. He needed to take those lips between his teeth. Why was this happening when he vowed to control himself?
“What do you need?” Her voice was a whisper.
Theodore was attuned to her as she took a step forward. She was not hesitant.
“A final kiss. Now that you have accepted the position, we will maintain propriety. This will be the last time. I desperately want to … need to kiss you.”
Her cheeks flushed and she stepped forward and leaned into him. “Kiss me. I want it.”
Her soft rosy scent filled his nostrils. His desire caused him to swallow hard. Theodore tilted her chin and his mouth covered hers. He groaned his longing when she opened to him, and hetasted her wet heat. She made a soft sigh of pleasure, and he pulled her to him. Their tongues searched and probed, lighting a fire of need that he struggled to control. Fierce desire washed over him, and he felt the tightening in his breeches. He must stop. He wanted to, but just as he was about to pull away, a soft whimper escaped her, and it hung in the air between them. Theodore deepened the kiss, pulling her closer so that he could mold her body against his hard form.
Her mouth was hot and ready, and she followed his lead when he moved to nibble at her lips. She tasted so damn good. He captured her tongue and sucked on it, and he felt his cock strain against the fabric. He was sure she knew how much he wanted her. Surely, she must feel it. He wanted to feel her warmth around his … This time, he stopped.
Theodore heard his labored breathing and to think it was only a bloody kiss. Had he ever felt hunger this visceral? Lady Beryl took a step back, but not before he saw the smoldering heat in her eyes.
“As I said, I will accept the position, but we need to establish the ground rules.”
He could hear the slight tremor in her voice, and he was pleased to know that he affected her so.
Theodore chuckled. “Rules? What could those possibly be, Lady Beryl? Enlighten me.” His own voice was husky and sounded deeper than it normally would be.
She touched her lips, and the simple action made him struggle to control himself. He wanted to take her mouth once more, to demand, explore, and cajole.
Lady Beryl gave him a stern stare that pinned him where he stood. “There will be no more kissing,” she said decisively, a spot of color had risen on her cheeks. “That was our final embrace.”
A flicker of excitement settled in the depths of his belly, only dampened by the thought of the promise that he was aboutto make.Bloody hell! After the way they just kissed, it would be damned near impossible, but he must try. He gave her his word. Only moments ago, he told her she would not be taken advantage of.
He nodded in acquiescence. “Agreed.”
She continued, “You will decide what I may teach your nieces, but I will decide how to teach them. You are not to interfere with my methods of teaching, my lord.”
Theodore thought about it for a moment and wondered if this would return to haunt him. He could not immediately think of a reason to refuse. “Agreed.”
“Finally, I must have Sundays off.”
