THE INTERVIEW HIS lordship had so ominously promised came twenty minutes before the dinner hour at Bromley. Cherry was just fussing over the only other dress she had brought into the country with her. It was a simple thing of dark blue silk and showed to advantage her provocative lines.
It was not at all suitable for a governess, though its scoop neckline was not as deeply cut as most of her other gowns at home. What to do? Brave it out. What else could she do? She braced herself and made her way below-stairs and to the library.
She had asked Francine to find her a shawl, and the child had gladly brought her one of her sister Mary’s—a very finely knit off-white shawl that she slung around her shoulders, hoping it would tone down the sensuality of her gown.
Thurston opened the library door for her as he had been instructed and gently announced her presence before he quietly withdrew and closed the door after him. Cherry folded her hands together and let them rest at her waist as she met his lordship’s gaze. What eyes he had … deep, dark blue like the ocean …
Even in the dim light they seemed to glitter. How sensuous were his lips … those lips that had so recently kissed her. What was he thinking? Stop it Cherry, what are you thinking!
“Well, and though you look …” His gaze swept over her, lingering over her full breasts and then over her nipples protruding through the silk. “… ravishing, you do not look the part you presently play.”
“Nevertheless, I think I can play it,” she answered immediately.
“And is that what you are doing—playing a part?” He had moved closer to her, and as she stepped back, her shawl fell and was only held in place by her bent arms. Their eyes met.
“Isn’t that something we all do from time to time?” she answered. She was enjoying herself immensely. Three London seasons had taught her self-assurance and how to conduct a lively banter.
“Don’t play at semantics with me. I want answers now,” he returned sharply.
“Do you? Then, you must give me the questions.” She was pert and just a touch annoyed. What if she had to make her way through life as a governess and be subject to this sort of thing simply because she was young and attractive? Her eyes challenged him.
He looked her over once more, and she felt his attraction seep through his attitude; however, he frowned at her. “Right then, have a seat, and I will put those questions to you.”
She took up the ladies’ chair near the fire and folded her hands in her lap, demurely waiting. He came to tower over her but decided instead to pull up a chair and place it near her so that he was facing her.
“Very well, I shall come to the point. When we met, you were fleeing London, for reasons of your own, and going to your nanny…” He hesitated, and she immediately urged him on.
“Yes …?”
“I suppose you did not then know you were to take on a position of governess?”
“No. I only knew I had to get to Polly,” she answered softly. As many truths as she could give him, she decided. It was so difficult to remember lies.
“How then did you come to be at Bromley?”
“Your man, Mr. Trekner, came to enlist my Polly to be governess to the twins. She could not oblige, but I could,” Cherry answered simply.
“Hold old did you say you were?”
“I am one and twenty,” she answered easily
“You don’t look it. Why, you look—” he started.
“Old enough to kiss,” she stuck in. Eyeing him naughtily, she felt an excitement she had never felt before. Here was the man she had been dreaming about ever since he had kissed her.
She had shocked him silent, but he recovered. “That was quite different!”
“Was it?” She tilted her pretty head. “Explain, my lord … in what way was it different then?”
“Never mind.” He waved it off testily.
“Right, my age, then, is no longer in question,” she returned promptly. “What then is?”
“Your experience,” he retorted in a superior tone, thinking he had her now.
“Ah, I must say, I have none. I have had an extensive education, however, and I do so like children, but if you feel that perhaps you need someone else, someone with experience, well then, I shall leave.”
She had called him out, and now she was surprised to find her heart so very afraid of what he might do.