Dangerous Joy by Jo Beverley

Dunsmore doesn't have the kindness of a sharp rock on a cold day. Spoke ill of her behind her back-and to her face, too, I wouldn't be surprised."
    Miles remembered something `Joy' had said. "And yet they had a son."
    "True enough, sir, true enough. And a lovely lad is young Kieran."
    Felicity suddenly paced toward the small window and back again. "For Kathleen, Kieran was worth any price. Any. She didn't want marriage so much as a child, and Rupert gave her one. The last three years of her life were the happiest she'd ever known. On her deathbed, she wept because she had to leave him. Kieran, I mean..." Her voice faded.
    "You were there?" Miles asked gently.
    She turned sharply to face him. "Of course I was there. She was my friend."
    It seemed a most unlikely friendship.
    "On her deathbed, she begged me to watch over the child. So you see, I cannot leave him to go to England."
    Miles had no intention of discussing their personal plans in front of the village gossips. He rose. "The lad has his father and doubtless a nurse or two. But we can discuss this later. Now, if you would be so kind, I'd enjoy a tour of the village."
    For a moment he thought she would refuse, but with a sigh of irritation, she led the way out into the village street, giving a terse commentary as they went.
    Miles found it an interesting tour, not for the village, which offered nothing unusual, but for what he learned of Felicity Monahan.
    Thus far he had encountered a wanton, a shrew, and the illusion of a proper miss, but it would seem that Felicity's repertoire might include a sweet-natured lady. She was clearly held in respect and affection by the people here. Everywhere, she was met with smiles and tidbits of personal information. Children ran to greet her, sharing small animals, pretty stones, or a piece of carefully executed handwriting.
    He gathered she had started a small dame school in the village and provided the necessary books and slates.
    Though his wayward ward tried to maintain a chilly facade with Miles, it proved impossible. Her hair began to spring from its tight arrangement, and her cheeks flushed with color. She would frequently turn to him with the remnants of a glowing smile, and then her beauty knocked the breath right out of him.
    Lord, but she was right. She was a dangerous woman.
    They left the village and walked along the lane toward the Foy Hall stables. Miles tried to preserve the joyous glow, but almost immediately Felicity reverted to chilly antagonism.
    "I wonder what it is you want me to believe of you, Felicity, and why."
    She continued to stare ahead. "Why should I care what you think of me, Mr. Cavanagh?"
    "Now, that is a remarkably foolish question. And you are not a foolish woman."
    She flashed him a look. "Faith. What an admission! I'm sure I should be flattered."
    "Only if it's untrue."
    A light in her eye showed enjoyment of the verbal sparring-match, but they were interrupted by the sound of wheels in the lane. They both moved to the side to let the vehicle pass, but the one-horse gig stopped and a handsome blond lad of about four shouted, "Sissity!" It didn't take genius to guess that this was Dunsmore's son, for there was a marked resemblance.
    It was as if someone had lit a lamp inside Felicity. "Kieran, my poppet! How lovely to see you all unexpected." She grabbed the lad at the waist and swung him around while the middle-aged woman driving the gig smiled.
    "Now," Felicity said, returning him giggling to his place, "what adventure are you on today?"
    "No `venture. Just plums."
    The older lady explained. "Cook wanted more of Dooley's pickled plums, so I volunteered to drive over. To give the lad a break, you see."
    This was said with meaning, but there was no need to guess the interpretation, for the boy pushed out his lower lip and said, "Papa's in a bad mood."
    Miles supposed he was. But no wonder Kathleen Dunsmore had delighted in this late-born child. He seemed a fine specimen.
    No wonder Felicity was