Page 13 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
“Can you tell me why you took my daughter into the grounds this morning?” he snapped, his eyes fixed on her face. “You were supposed to be starting lessons then, Miss Bomind. Punctuality and attention to time is imperative.”
“I do apologize, Your Grace,” she replied, her heart thumping. “We went for a walk as it was a fine morning, and I thought it might help Lady Lenore concentrate when we started work.”
He kept glaring at her. “You are indulging her, Miss Bomind. Running around the grounds in a wild manner will not improve my daughter’s ability to write and read or do addition and subtraction.”
“Respectfully, I disagree, Your Grace,” she retorted, before she could help herself. “Lady Lenore was much more focused when we returned to the house after the walk, for she had expended her energy, and was much calmer and willing to learn.” She turned to the table, where the workbooks were spread. “Would you care to see what she has accomplished this morning?”
He grunted but nodded. Selene handed them to him. He flicked through the pages quickly, saying nothing. She took another deep breath.
“Lady Lenore has written a composition about the beetle we found,” she said, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.“She also completed a sketch of the insect, labelling its features. We found a scientific journal to study and learn more about the features we were uncertain about.”
The duke grunted again, his eyes still on the workbooks. He didn’t reply.
“So, you see, much learning has been accomplished,” continued Selene, knowing she shouldn’t ramble, but stung that he couldn’t see the value in what they had been doing. “Lady Lenore has done writing, a scientific diagram, and learned research skills, as well.”
The duke placed the books down on the table, turning to her. He was frowning.
“You think writing and drawing a beetle is proper schoolwork?” His frown deepened. “She should be doing writing drills, Miss Bomind.”
At that moment, Lady Lenore got up, approaching her father with a timid smile on her face. She was holding out her hand which contained the beetle.
“Look, Papa,” said the girl. “Her name is Bessie. Is she not beautiful? The color of her shell is teal!”
The duke looked surprised, then a bit flabbergasted. There was a tense silence. Selene’s heart somersaulted. Was he going to reprimand his daughter, or brush her aside?
But then, the duke crouched down, staring at the beetle. His dark eyes softened. “What a pretty name,” he said, in a gentle voice. “Bessie is very beautiful. Did you learn the color of her shell this morning? I have never heard you use that word before, Lenore.”
The girl nodded solemnly. “Yes. Miss Bomind told me.” She glanced shyly at Selene. “I want to keep Bessie, but Miss Bomind told me that she belongs outside, or else she will die.” She turned back to her father. “I do not want Bessie to die.”
“No,” agreed her father. “That would not do at all.” He hesitated. “Perhaps we can take Bessie outside together and then I will take you to the kitchen for your luncheon? Would you like that?”
“Yes, please,” cried the girl, looking overjoyed.
The duke stood up, holding out his hand to the girl, who took it. He stared at Selene for a moment, his dark eyes flashing, but he didn’t say another word to her. She felt a crackle between them which made her shudder. Their eyes locked and held for a moment. Then he turned and walked away with his daughter.
Selene slumped a little. She was having trouble catching her breath. She always felt tense and on edge when he was around but also exhilarated, in a way she didn’t understand at all.
Chapter 7
Ian leaned back in the chair behind his desk, trying to focus on the letter that he had just received. But the words weren’t making any sense at all. In fact, they looked like black hieroglyphs on the paper, as if the letter was written in another language entirely. He was distracted, thinking about the new governess.
She didn’t cower when he confronted her about taking Lenore for a walk that morning. In fact, she raised her chin, and justified her actions, in such a confident way.
And he couldn’t deny that she achieved a lot with the girl, even though her approach was unconventional, to say the least. Who would ever think to make a common beetle the focus of a lesson?
He placed the letter on the desk with a sigh, pulling at his cravat. The air was getting stifling in there—he was becoming so hot he could barely breathe. Desperately, he tried not to notice the stirring in his loins when he thought about Miss Bomind and how beautiful, spirited and queenly she had looked this morning. Desperately, he tried to focus on the letter again.
It was from an old family friend, the Viscount Mastiff, who had been close with his father, asking if his youngest daughter, Lady Gwendoline Pretner, could stay a few days at Trenton House to break her journey.
Apparently, the lady was travelling to London and intending to stay there for an extended period with family friends. Considering that the lady was starting her journey from York, in the north of the country, it was a considerable distance, and Lady Gwendoline would be very tired and need to refresh herself, said Lord Mastiff. Trenton House was a good halfway point to do it.
Ian sighed irritably, tossing the letter onto the table. He could hardly refuse, due to the long friendship between the families, but it was annoying, to say the least. He wasn’t particularly fond of Lady Gwendoline, who was a preening, rather arrogant young lady, even if she was known as a great beauty.
His face darkened. He also knew that Lady Gwen, as she insisted she be addressed, held a candle for him. She was always batting her eyelids at him and making excuses to be near him whenever they were at social events.
The thought of enduring her company for several days was excruciating, apart from the fact he enjoyed his solitude. He didn’t like entertaining. He never had, and it had grown worse since Mary’s passing.
I know the ton call me a near recluse now. And the villagers call me the Iron Duke. But what do I care for the opinion of any of them?
