Sari Robins - [Andersen Hall Orphanage 05] by The Governess Wears Scarlet

Steele sighed, rubbing his eyes. “That was…that was…most unexpected.”
    Abigail licked her lips and tried not to be too embarrassed. “I can’t believe that I was so mistaken…” The man probably had women lining up at his bedchamber door.
    “Carlton…” Stroking his hand across his chiseled jaw, Steele exhaled. “To be fair, when I hired Carlton, I had no intention of ever having children in my house. I never anticipated such a change in his duties. Or my circumstances.”
    Abigail could barely contain her relief that Steele was moving on to a safer topic than her faux pas or the notion of copulation. She coughed into her fist. “You, ah…never expected to have children?”
    “Are you asking because you believe that everyone should have children or because you think that all peers yearn to continue their line?”
    This topic was much easier for a governess, and she jumped on it like a fish to a hook. “Not everyone is made to be a parent. Certainly not someone likeCarlton, who so obviously despises anyone under four feet high.”
    “I didn’t realize that he disliked children so much. Had I known…” He shook his head.
    “What would you have done differently? Not taken Seth and Felix in?”
    “No, but it looks as if I need to find Carlton another position and find myself another butler.”
    Her brow furrowed. “If I may, I would like to know why Seth and Felix are coming to live with you.”
    Steele looked down at the lovely lady, enjoying how the moon lit her blond hair, reminding him of golden gossamer. He knew that he couldn’t tell this woman the truth; she’d leave for sure. And suddenly he couldn’t imagine letting her go.
    Sighing, he stared up at the stars sprinkling the dark sky. “It’s so beautiful out tonight.” He couldn’t recall the last time he’d noticed.
    As if suddenly uncomfortable, she bit her lip. “It’s getting late. The boys are probably waiting…”
    Steele wasn’t ready to go back to the house, to his responsibilities and everything relying on him there. He knew that he should be working; he had three legal briefs to review and a contract negotiation to plan. But he didn’t want the intimacy between him and this unique young lady to end. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so freely or connected so easily with another human being. “We have a few things left to discuss. Why don’t we take the path the long way around to get back to the house?”
    Uncertainty filled her gaze.
    Extending his arm, he smiled. “I promise, I won’t bite. No matter how odd my notions of propriety.”
    Even in the moonlight, he could tell that her cheeks tinged deliciously pink.
    He couldn’t quite believe that she’d thought him so depraved.
    Or that if she had been willing, he would’ve been sorely tempted.

Chapter 6
    S ounds of the creatures of the night reverberated through the moonlit park as Steele led the mystifying Miss West down the pebbled lane. The woman was a conundrum, a shrinking mouse one moment and a fiery goddess the next. He realized he longed to unlock the puzzle she presented and reveal the secrets inside.
    Inhaling the rich scent of pine traveling on the evening breeze, Steele recalled Sir Lee’s words, Not the kind of woman to run from the kitchen when things get hot. Based on how she’d handled Carlton, she seemed to be one to rush inside and put out the flames. Still, she’d cowered before Benbrook, shrinking into herself like a snail.
    And what was the story with Lord Byrnwyck’s son Phineas?
    Peering sideways at the lady, he noticed once more how pretty she was when she wasn’t trying to be a schoolmarm. Her profile was particularly pleasing to the eye, with her slightly upturned nose, pronounced cheekbones, and bowed lips. Had something truly transpired between her and Phineas Byrnwyck?Phineas was a lanky young man, Steele recalled, with blond curling locks, pale blue eyes, and milky white skin that any debutante would envy.