Western Seduction (The Seduction Series Book 2)

by Brenda Jernigan

  Shannon wondered what the girl must think of her being in Luke’s room, dressed in only her chemise. She couldn’t imagine the maid having ever encountered a woman other than Ruth in Luke’s room before. But then maybe she had. Shannon had to admit she didn’t know the man that well

  Shannon followed the girl into the next room, surprised to find everything was ready for her. This room was a little different from the one she’d seen yesterday. There was only one tub, but she could tell that a woman had decorated the room because of the many beautiful landscape paintings hanging on the walls. However, it wasn’t the beauty that caught her eye and kept it, but a pair of men’s boots.

  They stood by the tub and seeing them immediately produced an image of the naked cowboy who had stood by the bed last night and made her body tingle.

  “’Tis a bit hot this mornin’,” Shannon said, fanning herself, hoping that the girl hadn’t noticed how red her face had become.

  The young woman hurried over and picked up the boots. “Señor Luke told me to get these for him.” This time the girl blushed.

  Shannon knew exactly what the girl must be thinking. “What is yer name?” she asked to distract herself from the delicious images forming in her mind.

  “Carmen.”

  “Well, Carmen, I want tae thank ye for coming tae my rescue. It seems I was a bit confused aboot which room was mine.”

  “Oh, there is no need to explain, señorita,” Carmen rushed to assure her. “Do you need any help dressing? I will come back.”

  “Nay. The gown ye chose fastens in the front, so I’ll be fine. Besides, I work here the same as ye.”

  The girl’s eyes widened with surprise, but she didn’t say anything. She nodded, then disappeared back into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

  Shannon stepped into the high tub and slid down into the glorious hot water. She’d never felt so wonderful in all her life. All the stress from the last several days seeped out of her body as she soaked.

  Shannon could see that she took her comfortable life back in England very much for granted. She’d grown up with servants to do everything for her, even when she lived in her father’s home, so she wasn’t certain she knew how to be a servant. But she was going to try. She knew Brooke and Jocelyn had thought her crazy for accepting this position, and maybe she was. She had inherited enough money from her Uncle Jackson to support herself for a little while. She guessed she could go back to New Orleans where Brooke lived if things didn’t work out here, but that wasn’t what Shannon really wanted. She wanted to make it on her own, too, believing in hard work. And most of all Shannon wanted her own family.

  She just had to find love and where she belonged. She was attracted to Luke Griffin, she admitted. And she had a definite feeling he was attracted to her. Whether he wanted to be or not.

  Shannon hoped that the entire household didn’t think she’d shared a bed with Luke. Saints above, she’d just arrived. They’d think she was a loose woman, a hussy. She didn’t want that. Then again, maybe they also knew that he’d slept in the bed where she should have been.

  Those children! From now on, she’d know better than to trust them.

  After her bath, she pulled her hair up with two combs and let it fall loose and free over her shoulders. She was tired of the small, tight ringlets that were all the rage. Besides which, she had no one to style her hair so lose was easier. Taking the lemon-yellow dress off the bed, she wondered what the day would bring. She stepped into her chemise and then the day dress. There was no need for petticoats in Texas. This dress had a high bodice, draped with folds, which would give her easier movement with the children, something she was sure she’d need.

  Shannon had noticed that her gowns were much fancier than the clothing she’d seen women in Texas wearing so far. She’d thought to bring her plainest outfits with her, yet even those were too fancy. Of course, she did have a few blouses and skirts that would probably be more suitable. Tomorrow she’d make sure they were unpacked and shaken out.

  Since she wasn’t certain of the time, she decided to check the dining room before going to fetch the children. She hurried down the quiet halls, wondering what the children would think up to annoy her today or what tricks they might have up their sleeves.

  She stopped short just inside the door. What she didn’t expect was to find everyone already seated and eating.

  “Good morning,” Luke said when she peeked into the room. He pointed to the chair next to him, the one across from the children. “This is your place.”

  “Och, I’m late. I was a wee bit disoriented after last night,” she said as she swept into the room. “I’m feeling much better this morning.” She stopped behind her chair and waited for Luke to pull out the chair for her. However he was eating and not paying her any attention ... then she remembered her station and seated herself. She settled herself across from the children, who were innocently smiling at her as if they’d done nothing wrong.

  “Good morning,” Shannon said to the children with a bright cheerful smile.

  “Mornin,’” they both murmured, and then instantly found their plates very interesting.

  Luke handed her a platter of ham. “Just how did you end up in my room? Surely Maria didn’t take you to it.”

  Shannon placed a slice of ham on her plate, before she glanced up at the children, who continued looking down at their plates. For a moment, she chose not to answer the question and calmly buttered her toast. Let the wee ones worry just a mite. ‘Twould serve them right. She wondered how long they could hold their breath.

  “Perhaps the question was too hard,” Luke commented.

  Shannon glanced at Luke. “Nay, Maria dinna show me tae my room. I assumed the children were in one wing and the adults in another. Probably comes from bein’ so tired.”

  Turning back to the children who were now staring at her, mouths gaping, she wanted to reach across the table and push their mouths shut, but instead she let them stew.

  “Is there anything ye’d like the children tae do today?” Shannon asked Luke.

  “No. I’ll leave that up to you.”

  “I thought I’d huv them do their school work in the mornings. And –”

  “Ah, Pa. We don’t want to do no school work,” Toby protested.

  Shannon glanced at the boy. “Do ye want tae be ignorant the rest o’ yer life?”

  “What’s ignorant?” Toby asked.

  “Ye would know if ye’d been taught properly,” Shannon retorted, enjoying the feeling of satisfaction.

  “I agree. They do need to do their lessons,” Luke said. He shoved back from the table. “I’ll leave the children to you. However, I’ll be working out on the north range today. You can send a rider out if you need me.” He looked at his children pointedly as he continued, “And you really shouldn’t need me.”

  Shannon nodded. So he still didn’t think she could do the job. She’d have to show him. “We’ll be fine. Won’t we children?”

  All she saw were two frowning children who reluctantly nodded their heads. Shannon wondered what manner of devious tricks they had planned for her today. She supposed she’d soon find out.

  At least, today she’d be prepared.

  Chapter 6

  Chapter Six

  An hour later, once the children discovered Shannon was serious about their schoolwork, they stopped pouting. However, their pouting wasn’t the problem. She discovered that Molly recognized a scant few words, and Toby couldn’t read at all. Granted, he was young, but Shannon was determined these children would learn something before she left.

  She hadn’t had a chance to go to her room yet -- and she certainly wasn’t going to ask the children for directions again -- so she could get a few school books. However, Shannon remembered an old reader, which her mother had used to teach her to read, and it just happened to be in her reticule. She dug down into her bag and brought out the well-worn and well-loved book.

  The children took their places at the sma
ll desks she assumed Luke had built. A larger wooden table for the teacher stood in front of the room. It was a quaint schoolroom complete with chalkboards and slates, proving that their parents had cared about their education. Shannon wondered if their mother had taught them the little they knew before she died.

  “I want ye both tae come up here and stand on each side of me. I’m going tae teach ye how tae read.”

  After they had taken their places, she cleared her throat and began reading. Since the story was about Roman soldiers, it kept the children’s interest as she taught them to sound out each word. Of course, Molly, being older, caught on a little faster, but Toby was a fighter determined not to be left behind. He wanted to do everything his sister did. Only he wanted to do it sooner, faster and better. Shannon could see some of his father’s mannerisms in the child, especially his stubbornness.

  It was nearing the noon hour when she said, “Next, we’ll do arithmetic so ye can go back tae yer desk.”

  “We’re tired,” Molly complained.

  “And hungry,” Toby added.

  “I’m a wee bit hungry myself,” Shannon admitted. “We’ll get something tae eat before we huv our next lesson.”

  Toby rolled his eyes. “Ah, do we have to have more lessons?”

  “Learning can be fun,” Shannon insisted. “But lessons dinna all huv tae come from books. We’ll go outside fer our next lesson. ‘Tis a game.”

  “Are you funning us?” asked Toby as he drew his brows together suspiciously.

  “Nay. Ye’ll see.”

  Molly stood and asked, a look of doubt in her eyes, “What kind of a game?”

  “I’ll tell ye after our meal.”

  They marched toward the kitchen, Shannon in the rear, making sure neither of her students bolted at the first chance they got. Once in the kitchen, they headed toward the large, trestle table. The kids ran to take their places. It was so much more comfortable here, Shannon thought as she relaxed. The kitchen was warm and inviting. The cooks had raised the windows to alleviate some of the heat coming from the wood stove.

  Fond childhood memories came to her as she took her place at the table. When she was a child, she’d love to sneak off to the kitchen to eat with the servants because they were always so kind and welcoming. She felt completely at home in the kitchen, and she’d bet the Griffin children did too.

  The kitchen staff was busy bustling about as usual, and the aroma of what was probably to be the evening meal was already cooking. It smelled wonderful.

  “I was wondering when you wanted to eat,” Maria said as she brought over plates of white flat things and beans and some kind of chopped meat. She handed everyone a plate and silverware.

  “What is this?” Shannon asked.

  “You’ve had this, sí?”

  “Nay,” Shannon replied.

  Maria smiled. “It’s tortillas and refried beans. You fill the tortilla with beans and meat and roll it up like the niños, sí.”

  Shannon followed the instructions and then took a bite. She wiped her mouth. It was a bit different from the fare she’d been accustomed to, but after the first bite, she decided it most certainly was tasty. “This is wonderful. I guess I’ve learned something new today.”

  “Si, very good. And the niños, what have you been doing?”

  “We’ve been learnin’,” Toby offered, puffing his small chest out proudly.

  “I believe Señorita Shannon will be able to teach you much things,” Maria said as she poured the milk into glasses.

  Shannon noticed both children frowned in response to Maria’s statement. What a stubborn lot they were. However, Shannon didn’t let on that she’d noticed their reactions.

  After she finished eating, Maria took her aside and said, “I understand you went to the wrong room last night, señorita.”

  “Aye.” Shannon said, feeling the heat of embarrassment stain her cheeks. She let out a barely noticeable sigh, “‘Twas a bit of a misunderstanding, I’m afraid.”

  “Sí. Those niños can be a handful, can they not? Come with me, señorita. While they finish eating, I take you to your proper room,” Maria said, spearing the children with a knowing glance.

  Toby and Molly didn’t flinch at all. They wore that same innocent look perfected from years of practice, Shannon supposed.

  “I’ll be back in a moment. I expect tae find ye here, ready tae learn when I return,” she told them firmly.

  Maria led Shannon to the children’s wing. “I’m so sorry for the mistake. You would do best to remember you cannot trust the niños. They want always to play games, and the nanny is their favorite target.”

  “Aye, so I found out.”

  Maria pushed open a door at the end of the hall, and Shannon looked inside. What she found was a room a little bit bigger than the children’s, decorated in brown and white.

  “’Tis a bit drab,” Shannon said, “But ‘twill be fine.” She spotted her luggage lined up neatly against the wall. “I see my things huv been delivered. Perhaps, tonight I’ll huv time tae put my clothing away.” She managed a wry smile. “At least there wull be no mistakes made tonight.”

  “Sí, Señorita,” Maria agreed.

  Shannon thanked Maria, then said, “I had better go back tae the children before they find somethin’ else tae get into.”

  “Sí, let’s see if they are still there.”

  “Perhaps, they’ll wait since I promised tae show them something new.” Shannon smiled, then added, “Sometimes bribery works best.”

  Shannon found the children sitting at the table, waiting patiently, something they had surely never done before, she wagered. It was a small victory, but one she would gladly take.

  “Are ye ready tae go outside fer yer next lesson?” She clapped her hands together in what she hoped was an authoritative manner. Then she remembered she shouldn’t have asked a question but told them they were going outside, since she was the one in charge.

  Toby and Molly nodded eagerly. It was the first time Shannon had seen them excited about anything, and it was a nice change.

  Once outside, she led them around to the side of the house where she had seen a smooth patch of dirt. “Now ye need tae find a throwin’ stone, not tae big. About this size,” she said, holding her finger and thumb in a small circle that approximated the right size. “And, Toby, can ye find me a sturdy stick?”

  He nodded, his chest puffing up with importance. He began scouting around. In the meantime, Shannon found a flat, smooth rock that would work beautifully.

  Molly had already found her stone and stood quietly watching, her expression interested, but aloof.

  In a few minutes, Toby had returned with a three foot sick. “Whatcha need this for?” He brandished it, swatting it through the air as if he were dueling.

  “Ye'll see.” No sense telling them what was going on too soon. She wanted to keep their interest.

  Toby held up his rock, a small white stone about the size of a flattened marble. “Is this one big enough, Miss Shannon?”

  “’Tis perfect. We’re goin’ tae play a game called hopscotch.”

  “What’s that?” they both asked at the same time.

  “I’m glad ye asked,” Shannon said, marveling that they weren’t familiar with the simple game. “Remember when we read about the soldiers earlier?”

  They nodded.

  “Hopscotch is a game that began in the early Roman Empire.

  “The original hopscotch courts were over one hundred feet long and used tae train the soldiers. Ours wull not be that big, since we’re not trainin’ fer battle,” she said with a smile. “Back then, the Roman foot-soldiers ran the court, what they called a course, in full armor and field packs tae improve their footwork. Their children became fascinated with the game and drew their own smaller courts tae imitate the solders, but they added a scorin’ system. Do ye understand?”

  They nodded with confused expressions. “But how do you play?” Molly asked.

  “First, let me d
raw the court.” Shannon watched them out of the corner of her eye as she slowly and deliberately took the stick from Toby and drew the blocks in the dirt. There were three single squares, a doubled square followed by another single square, another double square and one final single square. When she’d finished drawing, she returned to the end with the three single squares. “I'll go first, since ye dinna know how tae play.”

  “Hey! That’s not fair,” Toby protested. “You’re the teacher.”

  “Aye.” Shannon smiled. “And as such I’m goin’ tae teach ye how tae play.”

  Shannon wanted to laugh. She knew she had the children’s full attention, and she liked it. They stared curiously at the court she'd drawn out. She waited, letting their curiosity build.

  “All right,” Shannon said. “Place yer marker in the first square next tae mine,” she instructed as she tossed her stone in the first block. “Remember which one is yours. Rule number one: Ye canna step in a square with a stone in it. And when ye toss yer marker, it canna land on the line, nor canna it bounce out either. If it does, ye’ll forfeit yer turn.”

  “What does f--forfeit mean?” Toby asked.

  “It means ye lose yer turn.”

  They both nodded that they understood. Then each one stepped to the line and dropped their stone in the first block.

  “Now I'm going tae begin,” Shannon said. “I must hop on one foot in the single squares. In the double squares, ye can straddle them, with the left foot landing in the left square and the right foot in the right square. But, remember, I canna step in a square that has a stone in it.”

  Suddenly, the hair on the back of Shannon’s neck prickled. A feeling of being watched settled over her. She jerked her head to the right and stared at a clump of trees on a hill in the distance. Why did she feel like someone was watching them? She didn’t see anything.

  “What’s wrong?” Toby asked.

  “I thought I’d seen something in the trees but it must huv been my imagination.”

  She hiked her skirts up and began to hop as the children watched her. Toby giggled at the ridiculous sight. This had seemed so much easier when she was younger, Shannon thought as she wobbled, struggling to keep her balance. She breathed a relieved sigh when she reached the end, paused for a moment in the top square, and then turned around. On the way back, she stooped down, balancing on one foot, to pick up her stone, and then hopped out. “Now I get tae go again.”