Page 41 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
“Yes,” he replied.
She set her candle upon the cutting table and moved toward the back entrance to retrieve the milk from the ice shelf. Nicholas shifted his eyes, careful not to stare openly at her but she seemed to have forgotten that she wore only her nightgown, as she poured the near-frozen milk into a heating pan and lit the stove.
“You did not respond to my question,” she said as she placed the iron pan upon the stove and waited for the liquid to heat. It was almost black in the kitchen, but for the flicker lights of the two wicks but Nicholas had no desire to create any more illumination. They did not want to invade the other’s privacy while they stood mere yards apart.
“Your question?” Nicholas echoed. “What was it?”
“Have I angered you?”
“Certainly not!” he scoffed with far too much gusto. “Why do you ask?”
“I feel as if you have been avoiding us as of late,” Rose explained and Nicholas cringed slightly, grateful that she could not see his face with clarity.
She has no issue speaking what is on her mind, that is a certainty. I must not forget that. She manages to surprise me with her frankness on occasion.
“There are many matter to attend in the towns,” he replied and even as he spoke, the words seemed empty to his ears.
She will see right through my bluffs,he thought, biting on his lip and turning his head away.
“Of course, my lord,” Rose said quickly. “Forgive my naiveté. I would not dare ask such a foolish question but for…”
He waited, making out the silhouette of her slender frame as she pulled the pan off the fire to cool.
“But for what, Miss Rose?” he demanded, impatience tinging his tongue. He had not regarded Rose Parsons as a coquettish woman but she seemed to be acting the role and it bothered him. It diminished the respect he had for her.
“Your cousins, my lord. They miss the time you once lavished upon them. I explained that you are a very busy man and they are bright children but I daresay they would like to see you if you can arrange for such an event.”
Nicholas’ heart grew heavy as he realized that Rose was not being coy or sly. Once more, she had cast her own interests aside and was acting as an advocate for his cousins. He saw that she would not have dared ask such a brazen thing if she was not concerned for Harry and Betsey. It had not been Nicholas’ intention to forsake the children, not deliberately but they spent so much of their day with Rose, it made seeing them difficult.
This is absolute ballocks! I should not have to ignore anyone in this house, no matter what father thinks! The children have endured enough without believing I, too have forgotten them.
“I will speak with the children on the morrow,” he said gruffly, realizing that Rose was waiting for a response.
“Thank you, my lord. My lord…?”
“Yes, Miss Rose?”
“I can arrange for you to have time alone with them if it pleases you.”
Humiliation flooded Nicholas’ body, turning him warm from stem to stern.
“That will not be necessary, Miss Rose.”
“As you wish, Lord Buford.”
She approached him slowly and slipped a cup on the counter in front of him. Their eyes met for the first time days and she gave him a small, timid smile. As he looked down into her pale face, her blue eyes shining up at him, he suddenly did not trust himself to be a gentleman.
She is not seeking romance,he growled to himself.She is seeking a kind word or gesture to prove you are not angry with her.
“Good night, Miss Rose,” Nicholas told her, turning away abruptly, snatching the hot cup from the wood surface. He did not remember to bring the candelabra but by the time he realized it, Nicholas was at the stairs. Yet he did not dare return to the galley, lest he could not overcome his desire to kiss her so easily given a second opportunity.
Inhaling sharply, he ascended the steps, knowing the footing inherently. He had run them thousands of times since his boyhood, after all. He did not need the candle, not truly. Using his senses to guide him through the blackness, he wrapped his fingers around the hot cup and inhaled the sweetness of the milk in his nostrils.
I did not take any almonds,he remembered but as he took the first sip of the honey laden liquid, Nicholas knew that he would have no issue falling into a deep sleep now.
And when I dream, I am sure it will be of Rose Parsons.
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