Page 18 of A Duke for Stealing
Though she didn’t know him very well, Rose felt a sense of pride as he told her this.
“I believe abstaining from such causes is quite admirable,” she told him. “I have known people who are fond of the drink; I am aware of how difficult it is for most to stop.”
Everett’s brows rose in surprise as he looked at her and sank back into his seat.
“Well…thank you,” he said, seeming a bit awkward with the compliment.
He gestured for her to be seated, and she sat gingerly on the edge of the seat opposite him.
“So, your day. How did you find it?” Everett asked, starting to formulate the mess of paperwork into piles.
“Your late sister-in-law did much to keep this house running,” Rose explained. “It was quite a feat that she balanced her duties as a Duchess and a doting Mother. I do not know how she did it.”
“Yes,” Everett murmured, keeping his eyes on his papers, “I have thought the same about my brother. The girls were quite attached to him. I do not know how he managed it all.”
“Well, it seems that we both have our work cut out for us,” Rose said.
Everett grunted.
“For the time being, anyway. Until we can find a governess. I am not good with children.”
Rose almost smiled. Yes, she had gathered that much from what little the girls had shared with her. Her husband, apparently, did not do well with hugs, dolls, or stories.
“That is what I wish to talk to you about,” Rose ventured on, “I spent some time today with the girls, and I am not sure it would be wise to find a governess for them just yet.”
Everett’s green eyes finally looked up at her, his brows raised with surprise.
“Did the bonding go that well?” He asked.
Rose let out a dry laugh.
“Not at all,” she confessed. “There was much discourse, and I believe that Leah would have me thrown off the roof if she could manage it.”
“That does not sound very promising,” Everett replied. “Let us hire a governess, have her deal with such tantrums. You should focus more on your duties as a Duchess, anyway. We have the custom two weeks for you to settle in, but after that, we will need to start receiving guests again. My brother’s partners will want to meet with me, and their wives will no doubt need your attention.”
“I believe they are acting this way because they still mourn for their parents,” Rose argued, “I do not believe it is in their best interest to give up on them so quickly after what they lost.”
“You know nothing about child-rearing, Rose,” Everett stated.
“And before today, I knew very little about being a Duchess,” Rose countered, “Yet I have already learned much. Let me do the same with the girls.”
Irritation perked at Everett’s brow, and he rose from his seat to walk around his desk and stand in front of Rose. He held out his hand, and after a moment, Rose took it, letting him help her to her feet.
“You are a kind woman, Rose,” Everett stated, stroking her hand. “That much is obvious. After what you did for me, and now what you wish to do for the girls. But you are right, the twins are fragile right now. They are still mourning and deserve to have that time. Let them come to you. In the meantime, there is plenty for you to learn as the new Duchess. As I said, we are going to have many guests in the coming weeks, and it is important to show these men that I am just as serious about their business as my brother was.”
He brought her hand to his lips, kissed her knuckles, then turned it to kiss her palm. The soft brush of his lips sent a delicious shiver down Rose’s spine, and she felt her mind grow hazy.
“Do as I say, Rose,” he huskily commanded, holding her gaze. “I need you.”
He kissed her wrist, sending another spark through her veins, and pulled her closer.
“Be good for me,” he whispered, a touch of pleading in his voice as he stroked his knuckles over her cheek, bringing his lips closer to hers.
Rose let out a soft sigh as he placed a light kiss on her lips, and for a moment, lost herself as she felt her body sway to his.
“That’s it,” he whispered against her lips. “See how much better it is to just obey?”
Everett’s honeyed words yanked Rose from her dreamy state, and she quickly stepped out of his grasp. Everett looked shocked as she did so, and she made a show of wiping her lips on the sleeve of her gown.
