Page 45 of His Duchess of Scandal
But Phoebe ran with purpose now, not out of fear. She ran for the sake of the chase—to be a little menace.
Hermia did not waste breath on trying to call her down. That tactic wouldn’t work, no matter what words she used.
Phoebe ran in the direction of the library and the Duke’s study, and Hermia knew that if she could just push herself a bit harder, she might be able to snag the back of the girl’s chemise.
Her cheeks flushed both from the exertion and worry at how exposed Phoebe was, how improper.
Her blush deepened when Phoebe’s cackle echoed further down the hallway right as she approached the Duke’s study.
The door opened, and so did a pit in Hermia’s stomach. She had wed to protect herself and the Duke, yes, but also to be a mother figure. So far, he had already heard about the library incident, and nowthis.
He emerged from the study, his face turning a deathly white right as Phoebe barreled into him.
“Papa!” she squealed.
Her pause at the sight of the open door was all Hermia needed to snag her chemise and kept her at a stop before she could think to flee again. It was a harsher method than she would have liked, but she was breathless and needed to stop the little tornado.
Finally, Phoebe skidded to a halt.
“I have this handled, Your Grace,” Hermia panted, not wanting him to lash out at the giggling girl.
The Duke nodded silently, but then retreated into the study to give them space Hermia was secretly glad for.
She turned her focus back to Phoebe, grounding her the way she had the other day: hands on her shoulders, kneeling at her eye level so the girl would not feel threatened.
“I do believe we should start calling you Hurricane Phoebe, seeing all the chaos you are causing,” she teased. “Clever Phoebe would not run around the manor in her undergarments, now, would she?”
Phoebe laughed, nodding. “She would.”
“Ah, butLadyPhoebe would not, then,” Hermia said. “Do you recall what we spoke about the other day? About you being a proper lady? I would like to teach you, but you might just be the fussiest little student I have ever come across.” She kept a smile on her face, as if they were sharing a secret. “So, how about this? You allow Miss Tarnen and the maids to bathe you, and I shallcome and braid your hair before bed. I will show you how I had it done for me.”
Phoebe looked at her wavy hair. “I very much like your hair, Hermia.”
“Then let us strike a deal, shall we? I can make yours look like mine, butonlyif you are clean. We cannot go to bed dirty, now, can we? Whatever will the ton think?” Hermia gasped, as if scandalized.
Phoebe gave an enthusiastic hum.
“Whatever will the ton think!” she echoed. “Papa, whatever will the ton think?”
“Indeed,” the Duke said.
Hermia chanced a look up at him as Phoebe was finally herded away by her governess. She rose to her feet, her cheeks now flushing for a different reason.
The Duke’s sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, the top of his shirt unbuttoned, with no cravat in sight. No obscene amount of skin showed, but it was the most skin she had seen on a man. Since their night of passion, of course.
“Duchess,” he said quietly.
“Your Grace,” she answered. “If I were to judge your expression, I would say you are quite possibly impressed.”
“Impressed? Nothing impresses me.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Still, the way you handle her… I could not have such patience.”
“It is a learned skill,” she explained. “I confess I am only more patient because I raised my sisters, and I did not want to show the same impatience my mother showed me.”
“I understand, but sometimes a harsher approach is necessary. Phoebe must know she cannot run around her home in her… in her…”
“I know,” Hermia agreed quickly, saving him the embarrassment. “Which is why I have come up with this game where I teach her how to be more ladylike. It is not a lesson, not officially, but she seems to become excited by the few pointers. Besides, bonding over braiding her hair will help solidify her trust in me.”
“What itwillsolidify is her certainty that you are nicer than anybody else, and she might take advantage of such kindness.”
