My Brown-Eyed Earl by Anna Bennett Page B

the incident in the park earlier. I feel that I must apo—”
    â€œNo,” he snapped.
    â€œBut I—”
    â€œWe will not have this conversation now.” He let the final word hang in the air for a moment, and his implication was clear: whatever he intended to say could not be said in front of the girls. “See me in my study before dinner this evening. Seven o’clock, sharp.”
    Meg’s throat constricted, so she simply nodded.
    He must mean to sack her.
    One grave mistake had effectively dashed her plans to save Uncle Alistair from debtor’s prison, see her sisters marry well, and gain a modicum of independence. How could she have been so careless? Her heart sank, and not just because of the money. Even now, Valerie’s small hand was nestled in her own, and Diana’s head leaned against her shoulder. Meg had disappointed them, too.
    She sighed. She had lasted barely two days in her governess position. Approximately one day longer than she’d expected.

 
    Chapter SIX
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    Will poured himself a generous drink and sank into one of the pair of armchairs that flanked the fireplace in his study. As the first swallow of brandy blazed a path down his throat, he started to cross his legs—and immediately thought better of it.
    Jesus. His stones still hadn’t recovered entirely. It felt like they’d been hit by a battering ram rather than his governess’s knee.
    Maybe it served him right, because before Miss Lacey had nearly unmanned him, he had been undeniably aroused. Hard as a pine tree.
    Even now, his cock swelled at the memory of her soft breasts pressed against his chest. Her lithe legs had straddled him, her thighs squeezing his hips with just the right amount of pressure. And when she’d lifted her head to look at him, a silky chestnut curl had fallen across his cheek, tempting him to spear his fingers through her hair and obliterate what was left of the tidy knot at her nape.
    If there was one thing he could absolutely not resist, it was balancing a beautiful woman on top of him—even one as contrary as Miss Lacey. The combination of her full breasts bouncing above, her bottom pressing deliciously against his cock, and the unexpected interest in her sparkling eyes had instantly triggered his desire.
    Cursing, he adjusted himself, threw back the rest of his brandy, and glanced at the clock on the mantle.
    Two minutes to seven. Miss Lacey would not be late. She was rigid—a slave to rules—which was probably a useful and admirable trait in a governess. Unfortunately, it was a terrible trait in a lover. Not that he had any intention of bedding her. It was just a damned shame that someone as beautiful and passionate as she should be so … regimented.
    But Will had realized a couple of other things in the park, as well. First, he was responsible for the twins. He’d known it before, on an intellectual level. But today, as the phaeton had careened down Rotten Row and Diana stood there defenseless, he’d felt it. In his gut. And it was terrifying. When he’d promised his cousin that he’d take care of the girls, he’d had no idea what he was signing up for, but he couldn’t go back on his word. He wouldn’t.
    The second thing Will had learned was that Miss Lacey was all too willing to sacrifice her own well-being for the sake of her charges. She’d put herself in the path of charging horses in order to rescue Diana, and if Will hadn’t swept her out of the way …
    Christ. Heart pounding in his chest, he stood and refilled his glass.
    Which led to his third and final revelation of the day. He had to protect Miss Lacey, too. For the sake of his own sanity. He couldn’t worry about her and the girls every time they wanted to go for a walk in the park, for God’s sake.
    At the sound of footsteps, he checked the clock again. Predictably punctual, to the second.
    â€œGood evening, my