Page 7 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
Mary, laughing, her auburn hair glinting in the flickering candlelight, slowly pulling up her nightgown over her legs, falling back onto the bed, beckoning me to come to her…
Ian growled in his throat. He didn’t want to remember the last time he had made love to his late wife. It was far too painful, even though it was over ten years ago now. Even though Mary had been in her grave for so many years now she was nothing but dust.
It is my fault she is gone and left our daughter without a mother. If only I had gotten her back to Trenton House earlier. If only I had realized that she was in full labor and that there would be complications. If only we hadn’t journeyed to her family for Christmas and had just stayed home. If only …
Ian squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the dreadful memories of that day. He had lost his wife and gained a daughter on the same day. The same day that another baby had been born, thousands of years before.
Christmas Day. No wonder he despised it and couldn’t bear mention of it at all.
But thinking about that led him back to thinking about the spirited, beautiful young woman, telling him off soundly, her Christmas gifts for the orphans lying ruined in the snow. His heart shifted. No, he couldn’t afford to feel sympathy, or remorse, or anything at all. The only way he managed to keep functioning at all these days was by cutting off all feeling except anger, which was his lifeblood now.
He knew what they called him behind his back. He was the Iron Duke. A gentleman so cold and harsh that it was as if he was made of metal, not flesh.
It is appropriate. I even like it. Not that I would tell anyone that, of course.
There was a sound behind him. He turned around. Mrs. Kittles, the housekeeper, was standing there, her hands folded in front of her. She curtsied deeply.
“Yes?” he barked. “What is it?”
The housekeeper rose. “Your Grace. I have a suitable candidate for the position of governess. Shall I bring her in?”
Ian sighed, rolling his eyes, but nodded. The sooner this was over and done with, the better. If the weather cleared, he might even get out for a ride today, after all.
“Send her in,” he commanded, walking to the center of the room.
He suppressed another shudder of irritation. So, there was going to be another governess. It meant nothing to him, other than annoyance that the damn creatures had to be continually replaced. He took a deep breath, staring at the door, as the housekeeper went to fetch her.
A petite woman in a blue dress walked into the room following the housekeeper. Ian’s eyes widened in surprise and his loins leapt involuntarily. He just managed to suppress a gasp of shock. He hadn’t been expecting this at all.
It was the beautiful woman who had given him a tongue lashing the night before. And she was gazing at him with equal shock in her green eyes.
Chapter 4
Selene felt her jaw drop in a dramatic way. She was so stunned that she couldn’t even think how to handle this unexpected development.
She was meeting the Iron Duke for the very first time. And he was the rude gentleman who had saved her from falling last night!
She felt her cheeks suffuse with high color. Mrs. Kittles was looking at her expectantly. Hastily, she dropped into a low curtsy, using the time to try to compose herself. It wasn’t easy, but by the time she rose, her face was as neutral as she could manage.
“Your Grace,” she murmured, her eyes flickering onto his face.
“Your Grace, may I present Miss Selene Bomind,” said Mrs. Kittles. “Miss Bomind is a local, living in Trenton with her parents, and is well educated.” She paused. “I believe she is a fine candidate for the position and has the necessary skills to accomplish it well.”
“I see,” barked the duke, his eyes boring into Selene’s face. He inclined his head slightly. “A pleasure, Miss Bomind.”
Her heart thumped hard. There was no doubt that he recognized her—she could tell by the way his eyes had widened in shock when she had first walked into the room. There was an awkward pause. She had no idea what to say to him.
The duke turned to the housekeeper. “If you could go and see to the tea service, Mrs. Kittles. I will talk to Miss Bomind alone to ascertain if she is suitable for the position.”
The housekeeper looked slightly surprised, but nodded, curtsying again. She glanced back at Selene, giving her an encouraging smile, as she left the room.
Selene took a deep, ragged breath, turning to face the duke. Her breath caught in her throat. In the clear light of day, with sunlight streaming through the windows, the duke was even more handsome than she recalled.
His dark eyes were mesmerizing and his commanding height, as well as the muscular breadth of his physique, so overpowering, that she was having difficulty keeping her thoughts straight. She felt a shiver all the way down her spine. Her eyes drifted to his hands. The hands she had been fantasizing about. They were just as large and manly and sensual as she recalled.
They gazed at each other for a moment. Selene felt sparks shooting through the air between them.
“Sit down, Miss Bomind,” he said at last, clearing his throat, indicating a chair near the fire. “If you please.”
