Page 30 of The Trouble With Her Duke
A small whimper turned his attention to the stairwell where Jeffrey had Rosie and carried a basket and blanket under his arm. “She started whimpering when I got downstairs, so I thought I’d bring her to their room. I brought this basket and blanket for her so she would have her own space.”
“Allow me to take her,” Lydia said, holding out her hand to accept the small brown puppy.
Jeffrey looked from Lydia to Damon.
“Jeffrey, this is Miss Lydia Hammond, my children’s new governess,” Damon said.
Lydia remembered leaving a small lamp on in the children’s room while looking over the books they had in the nursery. When she heard someone in the children’s room, she came across the hall to check on the room. Within minutes, she found herself face to face with the Duke of Danforth. Her heart fluttered wildly, and she took a slow, calming breath, hoping to settle it down.
Jeffrey arrived with a puppy. “Allow me to take her,” she said, taking the sleeping puppy into the children’s room—a ploy she hoped would remove her from the duke’s gaze. Noticing the sheet tent, she kissed the puppy on the nose and placed it and its basket in the opening of the sheet tent before stepping back. The puppy stood and turned around four times in a circle before finally settling down in the basket and closing her eyes. Retracing her steps, Lydia closed the door most of the way, leaving it open only a crack.
“Do you think the dog will stay in the basket?” Damon asked in a curious tone.
“Has she been sleeping near the children?” Lydia whispered. She and her brothers had had puppies when they were younger, and they had always slept near them.
“She has slept in the corner of their room,” Damon said.
“Then, there’s a good chance she will,” Lydia said. “She went right to sleep. Hopefully, she’ll adopt the basket as her bed.”
“I noticed you placed her in the tent.”
Finding herself gazing at the dimple, she blinked. “It’s a great tent, by the way. Since it’s between the two beds, I thought it would have the scent of both children. It was just an idea,” Lydia returned, swallowing past the nervous lump in her throat.
“A good one,” Damon said. “I appreciate your help.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I should return to my room if there’s nothing else.” She knew nothing would divert her dreams tonight.
“Perhaps we can meet in the morning at seven to get your thoughts on a few things. I also thought it might be helpful if I made the introductions to the children.”
“That would be most appreciated, Your Grace,” Lydia said.
“You are the seventh governess we’ve had in two years. I hope you are the last.” He gave her an imploring smile.
I do not intend to allow children to drive me from this job. “Yes, Your Grace. I will do my best.” She gave a quick nod and turned to go to her room.
“Was the timepiece repaired to your satisfaction?”
Lydia stopped and turned around and noticed him smiling warmly in her direction. She felt herself relax. “I should have mentioned it, Your Grace. I apologize. But yes. Mr. Nile did a lovely job. It looks better than I’ve ever seen it—like new!”
“Very good to hear.”
“Miss Hammond,” he said as she gave a quick bob.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“I hope we can put that awkward first meeting behind us and start fresh in the morning. I hope you are successful here, and I will do my best to support your efforts.”
She studied him. “I’d like that too, Your Grace.” He nodded and she watched him walk towards the stairwell. When he had disappeared, Lydia entered her room. Closing the door, she leaned against it, inhaling his scent—a citrus, bergamot, and sandalwood blend—and taking in the freshly decorated room in front of her. It was much nicer than she could have imagined.
The lavender day dress Annabelle had laid out for her caught her attention, and she nibbled her bottom lip in thought. Like her previous job, she needed to blend into the background. While the dress had been fine for her job with the duchess, a governess needed to show more discipline. Resigned, she withdrew a grey muslin dress she had purchased in London and laid it across the upholstered chair, returning the lavender dress to the wardrobe.
Annabelle had promised to see her awake at six o’clock and help her dress. That should give her enough time to gather her wits before she met with the Duke of Danforth.
Closing her eyes, Lydia fervently wished it so.
Chapter 11
The next day
