A Lady Becomes A Governess

She raised her eyes to his. ‘I must have seemed too willing. That is what disgusted you, I am sure.’

She had been willing, he remembered. She’d kissed him back and resisted nothing. She’d kissed him back with a fervour matching his own.

‘You did not disgust me,’ he told her.

She persisted. ‘But you left so angrily.’

‘Anger at me, not you.’ Let her be clear about that. ‘It was wrong of me to kiss you.’

Her gaze did not waver. ‘Then why did you?’

Why? Because she was a fascinating combination of vulnerability and strength. Because her animated features fascinated him. Because she’d been game enough to ride a whole day and never complained. He admired courage, even in small matters. She’d even been courageous enough to talk to him about the kiss when he could not think of a word to say. Because she was the first woman he’d truly wanted to kiss in a long, long time.

‘You were enticing,’ he admitted.

‘I did not mean to be!’ she cried.

He placed his hands on the table. ‘I know, Miss Tilson. I placed you in an intolerable position.’

She straightened in her chair. ‘I refuse to allow you to take all the blame.’ She touched his hand.

It made him remember her eager response to him. The attraction was strong between them, which only made it more difficult for him.

He withdrew his hand. ‘You are in my employ. A governess is at the mercy of her employer. I will not take advantage of you again.’

Something akin to self-reproach crossed her face. ‘Then how are we to go along?’ she asked, her voice nearly a whisper.

‘I will behave correctly from now on.’ He took a sip of his tea, lukewarm now. ‘And I will not stay at Brookmore for very long.’

She looked more disappointed than relieved. Even more reason why he should only stay long enough to be certain his nieces accepted this enticing governess.

* * *

They finished their tea and walked out to mount fresh horses. This steed was not as spirited as Rebecca’s previous one, but her mind was too preoccupied by her conversation with Lord Brookmore to care. The joy of the day before had disappeared and she was left with regret and disappointment. Regret that she’d not shown more restraint when he’d kissed her and disappointment that he did not intend to do so again. Instead he planned to leave.

They passed a house with a model of a ship above the door, reminding her that things could be so much worse for her—had been so much worse for Claire.