Page 25 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
“Do not be too hard on yourself, my lord. We all deal with our grief in different ways. It takes some of us much longer than others to adjust to life without the ones we love.”
They both turned to face each other, and their gazes locked before Beryl quickly looked away. Her heart fluttered at his penetrating gaze.
“Wise words,” he said.
They rode in silence for a moment before he spoke.
“My uncle believes that I have been shirking my responsibility. I should be present and not gallivanting around Europe,” Theodore said.
Beryl chuckled. “I do not suppose you took that well.”
Theodore smiled and her heart quickened. The man was far too charming.
“No. I was never one to obey rules. Society has quite a few rules that I think are nonsensical. I am sure that, on the whole, people can make sound decisions for themselves without any interference,” he said.
“I was not as lucky as you. My governess was quite strict, and it worked to keep me controlled as a child. There were so many rules that I am surprised I remember them all,” Beryl said with a light laugh. “It must be fun to break the rules at times.”Like I did when I attended that masquerade ball. A part of her wished for more experiences like that even as Beryl’s practical heart warned her to always be circumspect.
“That must have been terribly boring,” he murmured, his stare far too assessing.
It felt as if he stripped her bare. Swallowing, Beryl said, “I hardly think so, my lord. It was the norm. It was accepted.”
“I see,” Theodore said.
“Though I confess at times the rules were sometimes confusing. For one, I was expected to keep abreast of the news and to be well informed, but in the same breath, I was not expected to voice my opinion. Quite contradictory.”
“I suppose you were required to know enough to participate in a conversation but not enough to overshadow it. A fine art.”
“Hmm. Why should I be concerned about overshadowing the conversation? If I took the time to be well informed, should the gentlemen not do the same? In that case, we could have a lively debate rather than me agreeing with everything he says. Surely, that would be more interesting. Would you not agree?” Beryl asked him pointedly.
Theodore grinned. “I take your point, but I do not see thehaut tonagreeing with you. They would dispense with their own brand of justice for non-conformity.”
“I know this to be true, but I shall never understand the logic of it.”
“I often feel the same way.”
She arched a brow. “I hardly think our situations, a lady and a gentleman, are comparable, Lord Bowden.”
Theodore reined in his horse. “Whatever do you mean?”
“If we were to remain on the topic of conversation, you could easily insert a double-entendre, and it would be considered amusing. According to Miss Marsh, my governess, it would be detestable if I were to do the same, and no man would show me respect. Worst yet, if it were done in a gentleman’s presence, he would be disgusted, and no one would have a good opinion of me.”
Good humor danced in his eyes. “An interesting argument, although I must say if I used a double-entendre, I would expect any polite lady to pretend she did not hear it.”
She smiled. “You are quite right. We could not laugh even if it were amusing.”
“Hmm. I see. Why don’t you come and play with me?” he drawled, deviltry dancing in his eyes.
Beryl tensed, and a shiver ran down her spine. It was as if he reached out and touched her from the back of her neck down to her spine. The viscount wore a wicked grin, and she felt a sense of relief. He was only teasing her.The rogue! With a sense of astonishment, Beryl realized she found the excursion quite pleasant, and she was pleasantly surprised by his teasing.
“In addition to your wages, I will also arrange for you to have a governess dress of sorts so you will be appropriately attired when you carry out your duties.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Do you not think that we can dispense with the formalities when we are alone? You can call me Theodore.”
“If you insist, Theodore. However, I will still be Lady Beryl.”
There was something electric between them, and she felt drawn to him, somehow, despite all her reasons to stay away. She had felt it by the lake when they first kissed, and it was even stronger than the last time. If they were to maintain an entirely professional relationship, it would not do to become too familiar.
