Page 95 of His Duchess of Scandal
Hermia tried to focus on the explanation, but she could not stop thinking of Charles’s breathing, labored and heavy beneath her hand.
Or his promise of her tasting his cravat.
From the tea shop, they passed a puppet show, which Phoebe pulled them both towards, her laughter gleeful and giddy.
After seeing so many tears when she had first arrived at Branmere Hall, Hermia thought she would never tire of hearing that sound.
The square, not far from their carriage, was packed with enough nobles that Hermia was on edge, watching them all. But once again, her attention was drawn to Phoebe, who turned to Charles, a plea in her eyes.
“Papa,please,” she begged. “I know we are going home, but I must watch!”
Charles looked ready to decline. Hermia knew he was about to tell her that he had to work, that he had already spent too much of the day notworking, so she cut in.
“I am certain five minutes of watching the show cannot hurt?” Her tone was light.
Charles caught her eye. She saw him warring with himself before he gave a curt nod.
“Five minutes,” he told them both. “And then we will depart for home.”
“Thank you!” Phoebe squealed, hugging him around the waist.
He stiffened but then quickly relaxed and patted the top of her head.
As soon as Phoebe looked towards the puppet stand, she groaned. “I cannot see. I am too short.”
She let out a huff.
Hermia nudged Charles, nodding towards a young boy who had been lifted onto a man’s shoulders to watch the show without anything in the way.
Charles looked hesitant again, but gave another nod.
“Here,” he offered, reaching for Phoebe, who went to him with a grin.
In a moment, she was lifted onto his shoulders, giggling as she found purchase by clinging to his hair. His expression softened a fraction, and Hermia merely watched, smiling.
Charles held Phoebe steadily, directing her towards the stand. She was immediately raptured by the show, her laughter only growing as the puppets began to ‘fight’ with one another.
Hermia watched both the show and the two of them, her gaze darting back and forth until everybody and everything else simply faded away.
At some point—far past the promised five minutes—Phoebe laughed so hard that she bowed over Charles. But his grip was secure, allowing her to laugh hysterically. Hermia couldn’t help but laugh along with her. She caught Charles’s fond smile, watching her as she had been watching him all day.
She felt his hand brush hers, and she thought about intertwining their fingers, but then his hand was back on Phoebe, ensuring she did not fall.
Once the show was over, Phoebe’s eyes were already half-lidded. By the time they made it into their carriage, she was asleep, slumped on Charles’s shoulder.
Hermia didn’t dare speak, not when she didn’t want to rouse the little girl. Their ride back to Branmere Manor was mercifully short, and upon arriving, Charles picked up Phoebe and nodded to the footmen to open the doors.
Hermia followed silently, brushing Phoebe’s hair back from her face. Charles carried her to her room, as he had that night in the cottage. He tucked her into her bed, and Hermia made quick work of her shoes, the two of them fussing her as quietly as they could.
Once they had left her room, they lingered down the hallway near their chambers.
Charles paused at Hermia’s door. “Thank you for today. You… you are excellent with her, as always. I was expecting a disaster to strike, but it seems only my cravat suffered consequences.”
“That, and the poor governess that Phoebe scared,” Hermia agreed. “But you do not have to thank me. It is a pleasure to be around you both, and I…”I feel like I am home when it is like this.“I am glad to be a part of this.”
Charles gently took her hand and lifted it to his mouth to brush a kiss along her knuckles. “I am glad you are, too, for you, Hermia, are the greatest pleasure to be around.” He kissed her palm and then the back of her wrist. “As well as a pleasure to taste.”
He used his grip on her to pull her towards his chamber, opening the door with his other hand. The smirk he gave her said enough of the promise he had hinted at in the tea shop.
