Page 16 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“Oh, that,” she said, her eyes going to the floor to avoid his.
“I did not mean to make things awkward for you,” he continued. “You may feel that I took advantage, but the truth is that I very much like you, Miss Alice.”
As she shifted uncomfortably, he began to regret bringing it up, but he was keen to let her know his feelings were genuine.
“I promise you, Miss Alice, I am a gentleman. Even though I have lived away from England for many years,” he persisted because he was determined to find out if she felt the same way about him. “I cannot help myself; whenever I am alone with you, I want only to …”
He paused and leaned closer to her. Daring himself to take hold of the small hands that she had crossed over one another on her lap. Readying himself to let go should she object, he was relieved when she did not.
“Of course, I want us to get along with one another for the sake of the children,” he said, looking her in the eye. “But I hope you have an inkling that there is more to my interest in you,” he told her, keeping his voice soft. “I want us to become good and trusted friends.”
At that point, he lifted her hands and kissed the back of her fingers. When she didn’t pull away, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips once again. A thrill radiated through his body as he felt his manhood stiffening.
This time, the kiss lasted longer, and he smelt lemons and mint on her warm breath. Laying her hands back on her knee, he kept hold of them, his fingers brushing the slender shape of her thighs underneath the dress. How he desired to touch her naked legs underneath the fabric, so fast was his mind at work.
But then, she seemed to sense his lustful thoughts and pulled her hands away, proceeding to jump out of her chair.
“Your Grace, I must … Lord Phillip, I must be the one to apologise … I should never have … I … I must go,” she cried out, her face grimacing with anguish.
“No, Miss Alice—” he called to her, but she ran out of the nursery, a lingering scent of peppermint in her trail. “Damn,” he whispered, left alone, and annoyed at himself for frightening her.
How can I ever get you to see that I am more than fond of you, Miss Alice?he questioned himself.Why must there be barriers between us? I am a man falling in love with a beautiful woman. Where is the harm in that?
Cursing himself because he’d lost her once again, he rubbed his face in frustration. After a few moments, he stood up and went to blow out the candle. He doubted she would return to the nursery because he’d once again caused her to flee like a frightened rabbit.
Making his way back downstairs, he entered the parlour, only to find Lady Davina and Mr Eli playing cards.
“Ah, here is the elusive duke,” Lady Davina called out, swinging her legs out. As she did so, her hemline lifted to show some of her stockinged shins.
He had to admit, what he could see of her silky legs was most pleasing. With the mood he was in, he wished he could lift her skirts all the way up to her garters. Nor did he make any attempt to look away. She saw him watching and teased him all the more by twisting her shoeless foot at him in fun.
Her behaviour was unusual, but he wanted a stiff drink more than anything else.
“Rum, Eli?” he asked of his friend.
“A small one, but only to appease your good gesture,” Mr Eli replied. “Do you care for a game of cards, Phillip? I always enjoy winning the coins from your pocket.”
“Yes, why not,” Phillip said as he rang the bell for the servants’ attention. “I must warn you, Davina, this man could make a good living out of card games. He has eyes of steel, never giving away a trick.”
Drinks were ordered, and Phillip settled down for a night in the company of his friend and the French lady. He could tell that she flirted with him, but then he supposed she was like that with any man of wealth; such was her nature. But Phillip was still reeling from his disappointment with Miss Alice, the woman who he really wished would flirt with him.
They drank alcohol, or rather he and Lady Davina did. Eli was never one to overindulge in the Devil’s liquid, as he called it. But Phillip was trying to drown out his sorrows. What was he to do to convince Miss Alice that his intentions were genuine?
Lady Davina kept it up, a flash of leg here and an extra part of her cleavage there, as she leaned over. Even a pout of her lips as she blew faux kisses his way. She was pleasant enough company for a man who was drinking.
He could imagine her in a tavern, lifting her skirts for coin, though he kept the thought to himself. It did stir his loins, though, at the thought of bedding the woman.
Later that evening it was Mr Eli who carried him to his bedchamber and helped him undress for bed.
“It’s like being at home, Eli, my friend,” Phillip said, slurring his words. “Knowing that my very best friend is always by my side to ensure I don’t make a fool of myself.”
“Into your bed, Phillip,” Mr Eli said once he’d led the swaying duke to the bedchamber. “I will see you in the morning. Sleep well.”
And with that, Phillip’s world went dark, but the face of Miss Alice remained in his mind. Drifting off, he wanted nothing but to dream of his love.
Chapter 9
Alice was thankful the duke didn’t visit the nursery again that day. She didn’t wish to keep him from the children but felt confused at how their relationship was developing. As she tossed and turned that night in bed, she’d convinced herself that he was looking to her as a possible mistress, and that thought shocked her to the core.
