Page 26 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
They kept sipping their tea in silence. Selene pondered her friend’s suggestion, before dismissing it. The duke would never agree to it, not in a hundred years.
“You are quiet, dearest,” said Emma suddenly, gazing at her. “Is there something else that is bothering you?”
Selene faltered, yearning to tell Emma everything about her complex relationship with the Duke, but at that moment, Mrs. Kittles returned, sighing deeply. She looked harassed.
“The little lady ran off on me and rolled in the snow,” she declared, sitting at the table with them. “A maid is running her a hot bath. She is saturated and her clothes are a mess. She will catch her death of cold if she does not warm up soon.” She sighed again. “I need a hot cup of tea.”
Selene poured the housekeeper a cup of tea, feeling a bit frustrated. Her private talk with Emma was over. The moment had been lost to confide in her friend. The conversation veered to other matters.
When Emma had to leave, Selene walked her to the courtyard, when she stiffened. The duke and a tall, fair-haired gentleman, who she didn’t recognize, were standing there, talking together. They both turned and looked at them. The duke’s eyes were pinning her to the spot.
Selene’s heart started thumping painfully. A hot flush crept up her neck.
“Who is that?” whispered Emma, gripping her arm tightly. “Who is that gentleman?”
Selene turned and looked at her friend. Emma’s cheeks were pink and her eyes bright with interest.
She is attracted to that gentleman. A quite intense, instant attraction.
To Selene’s alarm, the duke and his companion were approaching them. She took a deep breath, smoothing the creases in her gown, with slightly trembling hands. He was bound to ask why she was standing here with a friend and not in the library teaching his daughter. Was he going to growl at her in front of them?
She and Emma curtsied when they arrived. Selene tried not to look the duke directly in the eye, but it was hard. She could feel his eyes lingering upon her, causing even more heat to rise in her body.
“Miss Bomind,” he drawled. “May I introduce my good friend, Captain Redford, who is staying in the district.” He turned to his friend. “Redford, this is Miss Bomind, the new governess, who I was telling you about.”
The gentleman smiled. “It is a pleasure, Miss Bomind.” His eyes slid to the duke. “My friend could not stop talking about you and the wonders you have worked with Lady Lenore. Well done.”
Selene’s eyes widened in shock. The duke had been praising her to his friend, saying she was doing well with his daughter. She couldn’t believe it. She still couldn’t quite believe that he hadn’t sent her packing yet, after their last heated exchange when she had suggested he talk to his daughter about her conflicted feelings about her late mother. He had been luminous with anger.
The duke looked embarrassed, kicking at a small stone on the ground.
“Thank you,” stammered Selene, blushing deeply. “Lady Lenore is a bright, curious girl. She seems to be settling well with me.”
Captain Redford laughed. “She is a bright girl. She just needs the right handling. I think Lenore is like a feisty filly, who needs to be approached with care.” He turned to Emma, giving her a long look, his hazel eyes alight. “And who is this charming lady?”
“Oh,” said Selene, jumping a little. “How rude of me. This is my dear friend, Miss Wellington. Her father is the Reverend Wellington, who oversees the parish at St. Anne’s church. Miss Wellington is just leaving.”
Captain Redford bowed, smiling. “Miss Wellington. It is a pleasure.” He paused. “You are far from home. Did you walk all the way from Trenton?”
Emma laughed, her eyes bright. “It is not that far, Captain. A brisk walk over the hills. Nothing more. It is rather refreshing… it gets the blood pumping.”
“Ah, you like walking,” he replied, giving her another long, speculative look. “I rather enjoy it myself, from time to time, especially among such beauty as this landscape.” He paused. “Still, the weather is turning— there may be another snowstorm soon. Would you like a lift to the rectory in my carriage, Miss Wellington? I am heading past St. Anne’s. It would be no trouble at all.”
Selene expected Emma to refuse outright, but to her surprise, her friend gave the gentleman a quick curtsy, along with a dazzling smile.
“That would be marvelous, Captain,” she declared, batting her eyelashes. “Thank you.”
Selene repressed a smile. It appeared that both Emma and this gentleman liked each other. Captain Redford held out his arm to her friend, who took it, giggling a little, shooting covert mischievous glances at Selene as they all started walking toward the carriage, which was parked alongside the house.
Emma always wanted to have an amorous adventure with a handsome gentleman. Maybe this is her opportunity.
As the carriage sped away, Selene turned, smiling hesitantly at the duke, before curtsying quickly, walking back to the house.
“Just a moment, Miss Bomind.” His voice was commanding, and quite curt.
Slowly, Selene turned around, her heart thumping.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
