Page 9 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
He shifted in his chair, glaring at her. Selene’s heart thumped harder still. She knew she was probably talking herself out of the position, rather than into it, but she just couldn’t seem to help herself. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps she was too independently minded.
I cannot be anybody but myself. If he decides that I am not suitable for the position, then that is just the way it is. I will find another position eventually.
The silence stretched on. Selene could hear the ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece as she waited for his reply. She gazed around the room. It was as grand and impressive as the rest of the house, filled with expensive pieces of furniture, but it seemed cold and rather lifeless, as if there wasn’t much laughter heard in this room.
“You have a thorough knowledge of most subjects?” he barked eventually. “You can teach my daughter history, mathematics, geography and the like?”
Selene jumped out of her reverie. “Yes, I can, Your Grace. I have a rounded education and knowledge about a great many subjects.”
There was another silence. He kept tapping his fingers on his chin thoughtfully. He looked her up and down, in a brazen way, that shocked her a little. Selene could barely breathe.
“Very well,” he said suddenly, leaning forward in the chair, fixing her with a penetrative gaze. “I am proposing this to you, Miss Bomind: if you can win over my daughter within a month, then I shall support your charitable endeavors, and ensure that the orphanage celebrates Christmas well.”
His face flinched as he uttered the word Christmas, as if it offended him to even say it, as if it were a particularly dirty word that he could barely bring himself to say.
She shook away the thought, focusing on his offer. “A trial period, Your Grace?”
He nodded his head slowly. “Exactly, Miss Bomind. Let us see if your actions match your words. And you stand to gain something more out of it, as well.” He smiled faintly. “I am not entirely devoid of kindness, you know.”
She blushed fiercely. It was a decent offer. He was giving her a chance, even though she had no experience as a governess. She would have her work cut out for her winning over his daughter within a mere month, though. It would be difficult, to say the least.
But you have so much to gain if you can do it. A permanent position here, where you will never have to worry about money again. And the orphanage will still celebrate Christmas.
Selene took a deep breath, staring him straight in the eye. “I agree to your terms, Your Grace. Thank you.”
He inclined his head, his face impassive. She still had no idea what he was feeling and thinking. None at all. He could be angry, or frustrated, or even pleased. She simply didn’t know. She realized why he had earned his nickname. He was very intimidating, and his coldness was implacable.
Oh, my Lord. I am the new governess at Trenton House. Will I be able to do the job? Or will the little lady drive me out of the house within a week? And even if she doesn’t, and I manage to win her over, how will I ever win over the duke?
Chapter 5
“Oh!” Selene gasped, as cold water fell onto her head, saturating her hair and wetting her gown. “What…?”
Confused, she looked around. She had just walked into the nursery at Trenton House to meet her new pupil, Lady Lenore. She was still standing in the doorway. Mrs. Kittles was just ahead of her and had made it into the room in one piece.
She gasped. A petite girl with curly dark hair, tied with blue ribbons, was standing on a chair with an empty bowl in her hands. Clearly, the water had come from that bowl. And Lady Lenore had just tipped it onto her head!
Carefully, she wiped the water out of her eyes. Mrs. Kittles looked shocked, her mouth open, staring at Selene. There was a tense silence. The little girl looked at her with the same dark eyes as her father, clearly waiting for her reaction.
I expected that this was going to be difficult. But I had no idea that it was going to be so challenging even before I opened my mouth. Perhaps it would have been better if Lady Lenore hadn’t been told I was coming to meet her.
Suddenly, Selene started to laugh. Lady Lenore frowned, looking confused.
“Well, that was quite a welcome,” said Selene, in between laughter, gazing at the girl. “I was not expecting that at all!”
“Are you not going to punish me?” said the little girl, tilting her head to one side, in a bird like way.
“Punish you?” Selene pretended to ponder the question. “Is that what you were expecting?”
Mutely, the girl nodded.
“You should come down from the chair,” continued Selene. “Then we can talk properly about it. If you please.”
The girl looked surprised, confusion flashing across her face, but did what Selene suggested, carefully climbing down from the chair and walking across the room to stand in front of the fireplace. She gazed at Selene warily.
Selene’s eyes flickered around the room. The nursery was beautifully furnished, with many toys. A grand rocking horse took pride of place against one wall. There were two large bookcases, filled with expensive books.
It was painted a soft apple green. Selene’s heart contorted. It was a child’s wonderland, filled with treasures. How she would have loved to live in such a room as a child, with unlimited toys, dolls and books!
