Page 33 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
“After one of my favorite aunts. Hildegard is a bit much for a three-year-old to manage, so my mother suggested we shorten the name. I’ll have you know I still treasure that plain little doll.” A gentle smile accented her words. “I suppose that may sound rather silly to you.”
“Not at all,” he said truthfully. “I’m assuming a sentimental connection.”
“Ah, you know about such things, do you now?” She flashed a teasing look. “And there I thought you were a hard-boiled tycoon.”
“Tycoon?” he scoffed. “My father can lay claim to that title. Not me.”
She wrinkled her pert nose. “Many would disagree, you know.”
“He would not. Of that, I’m quite sure.” Somehow, the words tasted bitter on his tongue. “Now, tell me more about your doll. There must be a family connection.”
“You are a clever one, aren’t you?” she teased again. “Hildy has been in my family for generations. I’m told the doll was sewn nearly a century ago, while George Washington was in the White House and passed down through the generations. My great-grandmother gave it to my grandmother when she was a tot. Grandmama named the doll after her aunt, and choosing a special name became a family tradition. Eventually, Hildy made it to me. One day, I hope to pass it on to my own daughter. I suspect someone who loved Carrie may have given her the doll she cherishes.”
“I hadn’t considered that,” he said, feeling every bit the dolt.
“Well, as I live and breathe,” she mused. “Jon Mason admitting he may have overlooked an important detail... why, I never thought I’d see the day.”
“A rare thing, indeed,” he replied flippantly.
She hiked a questioning brow. “It must be difficult to live with the knowledge that you so seldom make a mistake.” Her words might have seemed harsh if not for the playful glint in her eyes.
“Now that’s where you are wrong, Arabelle. I make many mistakes. But I’m not inclined to admit it.”
“Truer words have seldom been spoken,” she said with a little grin. “I do hope it wasn’t very painful for you.”
He gave another shrug. “At least now I have a logical reason for refraining from tossing that threadbare doll of hers out with the rubbish.”
“You do have a way with the little ones, don’t you?” she chided.
“I make no such claim,” he said, giving another shrug. “We’ve already established I have no experience with children. And thatbrings me back to my initial question. Do you truly know what you’re doing, acting as governess to my exceedingly clever and curious young ward?”
“Of course,” she replied quickly. Too quickly.
“You’re quite sure of that?” he pressed lightly.
She lifted her pert chin, meeting his question directly. “You, of all people, know of my fondness for children.”
“There’s more to it than fondness, and we both know it.”
“Watching over Carrie will be a new experience, but I will relish it. As I told you, it will be as easy as pie.”
He could not hold back his skepticism. “Might I ask if you’ve ever actually baked a pie?”
“I’ll have you know that apple pie is my specialty.” Veiling her gaze with her lashes, she glanced down at her hands.Interesting.He knew her well enough to know the implication of that small gesture. She was being less than truthful in that moment.
“I shall remember that,” he said, meaning every word. “Perhaps you will indulge my taste for sweets at some time in the near future.”
“It will be my pleasure,” she said, grazing her top teeth over her bottom lip. “When time permits, that is.”
“Of course.” He studied the way her teeth played with her lip and she fidgeted her fingers. Yes, she was definitely exaggerating her ability in the kitchen. But he wouldn’t have expected her to back down. That wouldn’t be the Arabelle he’d known, now, would it?
“You’re quite confident that your experience with Carrie will proceed smoothly. Without a hitch, as they say.”
Her teeth grazed her lower lip again. “My time here should be a pleasant change from my everyday routine.”
“Ah, yes, taking tea with some railroad tycoon’s bored wife and deciding upon a gown for your next ball must be utterly exhausting.”
“It’s not so easy as that,” she said, hiking her chin. “In any case, I’m looking forward to every minute of my time here.”
