Oh, Cherry Ripe

“Very well … since Frederick has gone to the trouble of building them a place where they will not be under Cook’s feet …”

She jumped with pleasure and took his two hands in hers. “Thank you, my lord …” For a moment their eyes locked, and she was sure he felt the rush of desire that swept through her body. She was sure he wanted her, because his eyes filled with an expression her London seasons had taught her to understand, but this time, for the first time, she returned the look …

Cook gathered the four ducklings into a basket and shoved the basket at Freddy. “There now … in yer care they are.”

Freddy took them and started for the door, turned back, and told Cherry, “I’ll just get them settled in their new home. I have some grain there as well waiting for them.”

“Oh Freddy, aren’t you wonderful. You have thought of everything.” Cherry beamed and turned back to his lordship, who had reached to touch her arm to regain her attention. It was like a bolt of lightening that sped through her—brought her to life, instead of striking her unconscious. She felt taken—she felt connected, and then she saw that he felt it too.

He looked almost stunned, but he cleared his throat and said, “The twins—have you managed to get them ready?”

“Yes. They are only just out front playing hide and seek,” she answered softly.

“Playing … they shouldn’t be playing and getting dirty when I asked you to have them ready to leave with me,” he returned roughly.

“Yes, my lord.” She smiled sweetly, though she wanted to kick him in the shins. “But it is nearly half past the hour, and you can’t have two such lively children sitting on their thumbs if you are going to be so very late, which you are—so very late.”

She had turned the matter around on him, and she could see he didn’t like it. She could also see that his sense of fairness considered her words.

“I see,” he answered and walked out of the kitchen to find the twins.

However, they had already come in search of him, and they appeared rosy-cheeked and out of breath, both of them smiling. He grinned. “Ready, monkeys?” He laughed and ruffled Felix’s hair, and it was obvious he was genuinely pleased to find them so happy.

“Been ready, my lord brother.” Francine giggled teasingly and went to take Cherry’s hand. “You had better fetch your Spencer, though, Miss Sarah. It is brrr”—she hugged herself for emphasis—“cold outside.”

Apparently Francine had adopted quite a motherly attitude in regards to her governess, who then felt the heat in her cheeks and said, “Oh no, love. This outing is for you and Felix.” In her embarrassment, she had taken an unconscious step backward.

At dinner each night, his lordship had made a few attempts to make certain she understood she was no more than a servant. She watched the frown spread across his face, but then Felix added his plea as well. “Come then, Miss Sarah … you will like it, I promise. Don’t be missy and silly. We want you there, and so does Sky.” He looked at his brother with a hint of encouragement both in his face and voice. “Don’t you, Sky?”

“Yes, lad.” His lordship smiled at Felix. “Miss Sarah, you are most welcome to join us.”

Cherry did not believe he really wanted her to. He seemed so standoffish, so entirely different than the rogue who had taken her into his arms on the way to Polly’s on her ‘runaway’ night. However, she actually did want to go with them and said brightly, “Thank you. You are most kind, my lord.”

Freddy returned, and Francine ran to him, took his hand, and pulled him along, “We are going to the fair, Freddy, and you must join us.” She eyed him knowingly and said, “There’s a performing bear.”

“Ah well, but although I have seen performing bears …one can never see enough of them,” he said and grinned wide.

“I’ll just go fetch my cloak,” Cherry stuck in as she started out.

“What, are you going to the fair as well?” Freddy inquired suddenly.

“Yes,” she said, smiling at him.

“Indeed … deuced entertaining, these performing bears. Think I will join, then,” Freddy said, smiling adoringly after her.

“We must not miss a chance to see a performing bear, must we, Freddy?” His lordship grinned.

Cherry looked over her shoulder and rescued him. “No … who could ever resist such a treat? Not I.”

Freddy, still annoyed with his brother, looked across at him and mumbled something under his breath. Cherry was pleased that his lordship chose to ignore it.

~ Twelve ~

EVERY TIME THE children or Freddy called her Miss Sarah, Cherry cringed inside. It was her mother’s names, both given and surname, that she was using. She hated the deception and made up her mind that at some opportune moment she would tell them the truth. She simply couldn’t allow the situation to go on under false pretenses. However, she didn’t want to leave just yet, for the children’s sake, and therein lay the problem.

If his lordship found out—well, that would be quite another thing, for he would certainly send her off and back to her stepmama the instant she confessed, and that would hurt the children more than her. She had come to realize suddenly that her behavior was not only outrageous but had dire consequences that touched others as well as her. She was deeply ashamed of herself.

At some point, she would have to call an end to the charade. She hoped when she confessed all, she would return to a forgiving stepmama who would not try and force her into marriage, for that was something she would not accept, ever.