Page 28 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Dearest Beryl,
I was pleased to receive your letter and to know you are well. I was worried when you left London in such a hurry, yet I know you would not have done so without good reason. Your cousins have acted in a way that showed their true character, or should I say lack thereof. Shame on them. I regret that you found yourself in such a dire situation. I know it would not have been an easy decision to make, to become a governess knowing it will ruin your chances of finding a husband and having children. You have resigned yourself to a life of solitude.
It saddens me to know that because of their selfishness your status has been highly impacted. However, given that no one in society has caught wind of this, it may not be so detrimental yet. Let us explore the available options. My dear, you are now unchaperoned in the home of one of London’s most eligible bachelors, and this may very well be in your favor. This is especially advantageous given he has kissed you twice. Your letter said you enjoyed being kissed and you are pleased to be in the lord’s company. I think you will be well served by trying to make him fall in love with you, therefore securing marriage, in which case you would not give up the things you desire most.
If that does not work, then at least you should get a taste of passion before you fully commit to your life of loneliness. Do write to me to let me know how you get on and I anxiously await your news.
Sincerely,
Flora
Shocked and with her heart pounding a fierce tempo, Beryl read Flora’s letter for a second time. She had two options. Make Theodore fall in love with her or give in to illicit passion. Beryl pressed a palm over her chest and leaned her forehead on the cool glass.
Is this why I am unable to push him from my dreams? Because I want him so?
The heat racing along her skin provided the answer. She worried at her bottom lip with her teeth for a few moments. Beryl wanted the viscount to fall in love with her.
Oh, is it truly possible or am I leading my heart to ruin and heartbreak?
CHAPTER 11
Theodore was sitting in the library attending to some of the myriad of correspondence that awaited his attention. He was not fond of going through them, but there was no point in procrastinating any further. He sat around his large oak desk, staring at the to-do pile, which was slowly whittling down. Several minutes later he found that he was thinking about Lady Beryl when replying to practically every letter.
You are being ridiculous! he chastised himself.Why is it so hard to not think about her?
Lady Beryl was interesting if she was not anything else. She had laid down the rules for him after they had shared not one, but two passionate kisses. He was amused by the surety in her tone when she insisted she would remain Lady Beryl. Theodore chuckled. Her beauty was not easy to overlook, but there was much more to her. She was spirited, yet she had a kind temperament, and she was prepared to take the high ground to find some peace in life. The combination made her sweetly alluring, and it was admirable because life had not always been kind to her. She was rare and he was captivated.
She was a gentle soul, yet what had he done? When they met for the second time, he kissed her without permission and told her he wanted a mistress and not a wife. Then in the garden he kissed her again, and it was such a sweet kiss. She wanted him, and that thought made his cock stir.Damn it.
He would not act on it. As her employer, it would not be right to kiss and seduce her. It was just as well that she set the rules. It was the right thing to do to protect herself, and it is a reminder that he must be responsible. For him to act on his lust would be a potential disaster. Lady Beryl being at Bowden Park was not for him, but rather for Louise and Mattie. He would stop thinking about her and focus on what he needed to do to ensure the estate was well run and allow her to care for the children.
It had beena bit over a week since Lady Beryl arrived, and Theodore thought she was a godsend. The children seemed to have settled into a pleasant routine. In addition to teaching the children, she adopted a motherly behavior and became a protector and caregiver for the children. She was working wonders with them already.
Theodore pushed his chair back and decided to go for a stroll. He would see what Lady Beryl and the children were doing. He went to the tutor room, but it was empty. What was the meaning of this? Theodore expected the children to be in their lessons. He moved to the window and looked outside to find Lady Beryl and the children playing with a ball.
He bounded down the stairs, through the main door and down to the far corner of the lawn. Lady Beryl and the children were in a circle, and they were passing a ball between them. As he grew closer, he could hear them singing.
One potato, two potato, three potato, four.
Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more!
They were so engrossed in the game that they did not see him approach. They began to pass the ball and sing the song a bit faster. He looked at the ball and realized it was the same rubber ball he and William used to play with, although they played football. His heart squeezed at the fond memory.
Maddie dropped the ball. “Oops. I suppose that potato was too hot.”
They all began giggling.
Louise looked up and beckoned to Theodore. “Will you join us, Uncle?”
Theodore could think of a number of things that required his attention, but he saw the plea in the children’s eyes. He could certainly spare a few moments.
Lady Beryl’s eyes twinkled. “Yes, please join us.”
Theodore nodded. “Very well.”
“Louise, what can you tell your uncle about the game.”
“Uncle, we must pretend to have a steaming hot potato in our hands and pass it around. Make sure to let go of it as quickly as possible so you will not get burnt.” Louise said.
