“Aunt Charlotte was a smart woman indeed. She has passed on to her final reward.” A small frown pulled at Miss Baxter’s bow-shaped lips.
“I am sorry to hear it. I think I would have liked her.”
“I do not doubt that you would. Lady Sophia would as well. Your daughter is a delightful young woman and I agree with you, Your Grace, she should be happy to show off her brain as much, or more so, than her pretty face.”
The more they talked the more he relaxed. Regardless of how the woman came to be at his house, she seemed to belong. Furthermore, she was well spoken and conducted herself as a lady should. She’d told him she was well versed in the areas a governess must be, and she liked his daughter. He could find no reason not to hire her.
Aaron tapped the contract resting on the desk in front of him. “Have a look and let me know your thoughts.” He slid it toward Miss Baxter who lifted it from the polished surface and began to read.
After she reached the end of the contract she laid it back on the desk then looked up at him. “It is a generous offer, Your Grace. I am pleased to agree with all the terms you’ve laid out, except for one.”
He arched a brow in surprise for he could not imagine what she might disagree with. The contract included every provision he could think of right down to a new wardrobe and time away from the estate for personal matters and relaxation. He held her stare and asked, “Which might that be?”
“I am an accomplished singer and therefore have no need of attending Lady Sophia’s singing lessons. In fact, I should like to instruct her myself.”
Not an unreasonable concession. That is if the woman truly was accomplished. “Let me hear a sample of your skills.”
“As you wish.” Miss Baxter stood with her posture straight though not at all stiff. She drew in a breath then belted out the first lines of Robin Adair. “What’s this doll town to me? Robins not near…”
When she reached the end of the first stanza she stopped and smiled at him.
He had become lost in her voice, mesmerized. Miss Baxter had sung like a nightingale. He could listen to her for the rest of his days and never cease to be held in awe of her skill.
Bloody hell, by the time she reached the second line of the song, he had become completely captivated.
He reached for the contract and struck through the bit about Sophia’s singing lessons, then inserted that Miss Baxter alone would be responsible for her instruction. By the time he had made the change, he’d recovered his wits and turned his attention back to Miss Baxter. “That was lovely indeed.” He dipped the quill in ink and offered it to her.
“Thank you.” In a smooth and fluid motion of swirls and lines, Miss Baxter signed the contract. She angled her head, bringing her attention back to him. “I would like to start immediately.”
Aaron grinned at her enthusiasm. “Then allow me to take you on a tour of the house and most importantly, familiarize you with the school room. Once we have finished, you can begin your instruction.”
She nodded, rising to her feet. He came around the desk and offered his arm. When she rested her gloved hand on his coat sleeve a wave of longing passed through him. He’d wanted to reach over and cover her hand with his, but he resisted the urge instead leading her from the room. As they made their way down the corridor, he pointed out the various rooms they passed, stopping to peek into each one.
Miss Baxter asked him questions about the staff, the pictures on the walls, and the collection of leather-bound novels in the library. By the time they reached the private family drawing room the two of them were chatting like old acquaintances. He could not help but relax in her presence, and given his experience with beautiful women that terrified him.
He swallowed back his worries and led her toward the door. “This is the family parlor where we spend much of our time together.” He guided her into the room, stopping to gaze at his daughter who sat with her nanny at a table near the fire place.
Sophia looked up with a wide smile. “Daddy! Miss Baxter! Come see my drawing.”
Miss Baxter moved her hand from his arm and crossed the room to look at Sophia’s picture. “How lovely, Lady Sophia.” Miss Baxter pointed at the parchment. “I can tell that this is you and your daddy.” She trailed her finger up to the top of the drawing. “Who is this?”
Sophia angled her head up, meeting Miss Baxter’s gaze. “That is mama, she’s an angel.”
Aaron came to stand behind his daughter. He rested a hand on her small shoulder and looked at the parchment before her. She’d drawn a garden with cobbled paths and flowering bushes. He stood beside her, holding her hand on a path as they both gazed at the bright sky. His dead wife rested on a cloud, her wings spread and halo glistening. His chest tightened, not for her but for their daughter.
“Daddy, do you like it?” Sophia asked.
Aaron swallowed past the tightness in his throat. “You are a wonderful artist, Poppet.”
Her smile grew larger, lighting her eyes. “Good. I thought you might hang it in your office or bedchamber.” She shaded in a colorless flower then held the drawing out to him.
He hesitated a moment before reaching for it. “Might you rather hang it in your room?”
Sophia averted her gaze, her expression crestfallen. “You do not like it.”
“On the contrary,” Aaron said, searching for words to erase the hurt he’d caused. What a bloody fool he was when it came to his daughter’s grief. Still he could not help but be angry when his deceased wife entered their lives. She had no place in Sophia’s heart after what she’d done to them.
Miss Baxter reached out for the picture. “May I?”
Aaron allowed her to take it from his hand. She made a great show of studying the drawing and complementing Sophia on her skill. “I think this would be perfect in the school room. Then your mama would be watching you as you learn and grow. I just know she would be proud.”
“But I do not have a governess to teach me.” Sophia looked to Aaron, a small twinkle of good cheer back in her blue gaze.
“Oh but you do. Miss Baxter has agreed to fill the position.”
Sophia’s eyes took on their usual sparkle as she turned to Miss Baxter.
“And I would be honored if you would consent to hang your art in the school room.”
“Let us do so now.” Sophia jumped from her seat and grabbed Miss Baxter’s hand.
Miss Baxter smiled. “So long as your daddy does not object.”
He grinned at them. “Not in the least. We can continue our tour on the marrow. Meet me in the foyer after breaking your fast and I will show you the grounds before Sophia’s lessons.”
Aaron watched as the pair left the room hand in hand. Perhaps Miss Baxter would be good for his daughter. The way she had handled the drawing and seemed to sympathize with both him and Sophia spoke volumes to her character.
She’d proven herself to be a compassionate woman even if she held a secret. None-the-less, he had to get to the bottom of said secrets. He could not go on blind faith that she was trustworthy and safe to be around his daughter.
Tomorrow he would ask her how she’d come to be in his carriage as he’d meant to do today. God willing her answer would not make him regret allowing her close to his daughter.
Chapter 4
Emma had spent a great deal of time pondering Lady Sophia’s drawing since yesterday. She felt bird-witted for not asking after the girl’s mother. In truth the thought had never crossed her mind. She’d been far too concerned with her own well being.
She angled her head, looking at the duke from beneath the brim of her bonnet. “I hope I did not overstep yesterday. I must admit to being caught off guard by Lady Sophia’s drawing.”
The duke led her onto a shaded garden path. “Not at all. I should have told you about my wife’s passing.”
Emma shook her head. “No, the fault is mine as it never occurred to me to ask after your wife and it most certainly should have. How long has she been gone?”
The duke releas
ed a breath. “Six months.”
Emma gasped then pressed her lips together the stifle her shock. The family should be in morning yet there were no signs of it. Why? She glanced at their surroundings not at all sure what to say next for it would be rude of her to pry into his personal affairs. Still, what sort of man did not grieve the death of his wife?
“Let us sit and I will explain.” The duke brought her to a cast iron bench under a lime tree. It’s umbrella of leaves casting them in shade.
She lowered herself onto the cool surface then smoothed her skirts as she waited for him to go on.
He positioned himself beside her but kept his attention trained elsewhere as he looked straight ahead out into the garden. “My wife died six months ago, but she has been gone from us since Sophia was five years of age.”
“I’m sorry.” The words hardly seemed sufficient. Emma plucked at her skirt, hoping he had more to tell her as she still did not understand his reasoning.
“Do not be. I have no grief for her loss.” He turned to Emma, a mixture of anger and relief in his gaze. “She was a heartless woman who abandoned us for her lover. They ran off to France and she never looked back. She never sent so much a letter asking after Sophia’s well being.”
Emma’s heart hitched for the pain both the duke and Lady Sophia had experienced. After all, her own father had done much the same thing to her when he’d abandoned her, selling her to Uncle Silas and Aunt Charlotte.
“When I received word that she had met her end, I felt relief for it meant she could not show back up in our lives, bring more hurt on our daughter.”
Emma reached for his hand and gave a little squeeze. “I understand, better than you might think. My father abandoned me after my mother passed away. That is how I came to live with my aunt and uncle.”
He gave a sympathetic smirk. “I worry about Sophia growing up without a mother. But at least now, she will never have to know that her mother choose not to be with her.”
“Indeed, there is a small blessing in that.” Emma offered a comforting grin. “Lady Sophia is a delightful girl. Smart and sweet. Any woman should be proud to call her daughter.”
“I take it the lessons are going well, then?”
“Indeed. There is nothing I have taught her that she has not taken right to. Of course we have just begun, but I am optimistic. You have done a wonderful job with her, Your Grace. Don’t ever doubt it.”
His lips twitched. “Will you feel the same when her mischievous side makes an appearance?”
“Absolutely.” Emma grinned. “In fact I am looking forward to her antics.”
He stood then helped her to her feet. “I somehow doubt the truth of your words.”
“Never doubt my sincerity, Your Grace.” She angled her head, giving him an amused glance. “Children are wonderful. They keep us young and bring laughter into our lives.”
Emma allowed him to lead her back onto the trail, tipping her chin up to feel the sun on her face when they came out of the shade.
“Would you laugh if you found a frog in your shoe?” He asked, his eyes sparkling.
“Yes.”
“What if you found a wild creature in your room? Say a fawn or pheasant.”
She laughed. “I would give it a name and make it a pet.”
“You would not.” He joined in her merriment, chuckling as he swept her onto a new path.
“I most certainly would.”
“And if you discovered your favorite frock had been rolled in mud?”
She attempted to appear serious, drawing her eyebrows together. “I would make mud pies.”
The duke patted her hand, grinning. “I do believe you will fit in perfectly here.”
Emma gazed at him. “Thank—” Her slipper caught on something and she tripped, her heart skipping a beat as his grace pulled her into his arms.
He held her tight against him in a protective embrace. “I have you.” He stared into her eyes as he brought his lips to hers.
Heat fanned through Emma at the gentle pressure of his lips on hers. Like a perfect hoyden she wrapped her arms around his neck and angled her head inviting him to deepen the kiss.
The duke accepted her wonton invitation, sliding his tongue into her inviting mouth. He was so close, so warm, her head swam, heart pounding as desire pooled in her midsection. She gave as well as she got, clinging to him, forgetting herself in his arms.
As suddenly as she’d been pulled against him, he set her aside breaking their connection, all of the humor gone from his expression as he looked at her apologetically. “I should not have taken advantage of your close proximity. If you will excuse me, I will leave you to your lessons.” The duke bowed, turned on his heels and left Emma watching as he strolled away.
Aaron sat in the family parlor, his feet stretched out before him as he watched Sophia play on the floor nearby with the doll he’d brought her from London. He would do anything to see his daughter well adjusted and happy. It was, for that very reason, he’d hired Miss…the hell with it, Emma, to be here governess. Why the devil had he kissed the woman? He rubbed his neck, averting his attention to the fire crackling in the hearth. Had he learned nothing from Sophia’s mother?
Beautiful, young women brought nothing but betrayal and chaos. They used men to gain what they wanted then destroyed them before moving on. He could not become entangled with Emma, would not allow himself or Sophia to get hurt again.
He glanced back down at his daughter who wore a look of concentration as she played with the dolls golden locks. Sophia was smitten. He sighed. They were already at risk. He could no more deny his attraction to Emma than Sophia’s attachment to the woman.
Emma had gotten to them—captivated them.
Hell he’d spent the whole day between thinking about the memory of her lips on his, wanting more of her, and trying to forget what had happened. Emma had turned him upside down, charmed him from almost the moment they’d met and ignited his passion with her kiss.
He glanced at the door when the sound of footfalls intruded on his thoughts and his pulse speed up. Emma strolled into the room, her hips swaying, hair shining in the candle light, and face glowing. Bloody hell, he was in trouble.
“Miss Baxter. Do say you will read to me?” Sophia laid her doll on the settee and reached for the book on the table beside it.
A thread of unease spiraled through him. Should he say something to her? Leave the room, perhaps? He watched as Emma moved to sit beside Sophia. Taking the book she opened it and began reading. When Sophia curled up beside her, Emma wrapped one arm protectively around her and all thought fled Aaron’s mind as he watched them.
Miss Emma Baxter was nothing like his dead wife.
Sophia’s mother had not had a maternal bone in her whole body. Hell a pack of wolves would have made a better mother to Sophia then his wife ever had. Furthermore, Emma was not demanding, she was gentle and kind, as well as fun to be around in ways his wife never had been.
It was not fair of him to compare the two women and he’d not do it anymore. Besides, he and Emma were not courting. She was his employee—nothing more. Aaron relaxed into the chair and allowed himself to be carried away in the story she read. Her voice wrapping him in serenity the likes of which he had not felt in a long time.
“Your Grace.” He opened his eyes, turning his head toward the nanny’s voice as Emma stopped reading.
“I have come to take Lady Sophia to bed.”
“I will tuck her in this night.” Aaron rose, stretching his neck and shoulders. “Come along, Poppet.”
Sophia reached out and hugged Emma. “Good night.”
He watched his heart melting as Emma wrapped a protective arm around his daughter.
“Good night, Princess.” She dropped a kiss on Sophia’s forehead further endearing herself to him.
The tender moment brought a tear to his eye for he could plainly see the bond that had formed between the two—and in such a short time. There was no doubt Emma cared for S
ophia regardless of how she’d come to be in his carriage, and a woman who held such a deep regard for a child that did not come from her own womb had to be a good woman.
In that moment, he resolved to protect and care for Emma come what may.
She released Sophia and the pair stood. “I am for bed as well. Good night, Your Grace.”
“And to you as well,” he said, as he scooped Sophia into his arms.
When he reached Sophia’s bedchamber, he waited outside the door as her maid helped her into her night clothes. Once she was ready, he laid her on her featherbed then pulled her pink duvet over her small body, tucking in the edges around her just the way she liked. “Sleep well, Poppet.”
Sophia stared up at him. “Daddy, will I ever have a mama?”
“You do have a mama. She simply lives with the angels.” His heart ached for his daughter, but there was nothing he could do other than love her himself. He bent to kiss her.
Sophia placed her hands on his cheeks and looked into his eyes. “I mean a new mama. One who lives here with us?”
He swallowed past the tightness in his throat. “Perhaps, someday.”
She smiled, releasing his face to settle against her pillow. “I should rather like for Miss Emma to be my mama.”
Aaron grinned half in amusement and half because he did not know what else to do. “Sweet dreams, little one.” He delivered the kiss he’d intended before she had waylaid him, then left the room with a heavy heart.
Chapter 5
Emma should not be standing here, outside of Lady Sophia’s door. Nonetheless, she had to pass the girls bedchamber in order to reach her own. When she heard the girl’s question, she could not stop herself from pausing to listen. Now her heart ached for Sophia and the pain she understood all too well herself.
What she would not give to heal the wound Sophia’s mother created with her selfish actions. She hopped the woman passed away feeling some measure of guilt and regret for she deserved no less.
Emma took a couple of steps toward her chamber then froze at the girls next words, ‘I should rather like for Miss Emma to be my mama’. Bless her little soul. Tears formed in Emma’s eyes and she squeezed them shut in an effort to keep from crying. No child should have to grow up without parents to cherish and spoil them.
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