A Marquis to Protect the Governess by Parker J. Cole

Author:Parker J. Cole
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-10-11T12:14:03+00:00

* * *

Isadora clamped a hand over her mouth, shock reverberating through her body. The tip of her finger still tingled in the wake of the slight brush against André’s hand. That brief contact quaked through her like arcs of lightning. It also sent her into flight, silently diving behind a large chair and crouching with the trailing ends of her nightgown balled up in her free hand.

What was he doing up? Had he already found his bride?

The idea tormented her and she shifted away from it.

She’d thought he would have returned from whatever engagement had taken him away that night and was already resting in his bedchamber. Jacqueline had told her earlier that evening that a letter had arrived for her. She knew that all the correspondence to the mansion was given to André and if he wasn’t there, it was placed in his study.

When she’d awakened hours later from her sorrow-induced nap, she’d remembered what Jacqueline had told her.

But now, for some reason, Isadora didn’t want her presence to be known. She willed herself to not make a sound.

Or even breathe.

André’s figure was outlined by the slices of moonlight in the darkness. From what she noted of his silhouette, he’d changed out of his formal attire and into clothing which hung loosely from his frame. The wig was gone, and his thick blond hair flowed unbound around his shoulders.

She’d only rarely seen him like this before. Usually, he was constrained by the trappings of society. In the sunlight, André was controlled. Restrained. Very correct and polite. Implacable. She recognised that man as her employer and the one who was slowly becoming important to her.

Now, this man, bathed in moonlight and shadow, pulsed with a wildness that charged the air. Isadora could feel it caress the tiny hairs standing erect on her skin. He was...unleashed.

Raw.

André moved forward one step. ‘Speak now, whoever you are.’

His voice had deepened further from his usual low tone. Raspy, edgy and filled with something primal.

Isadora peered through a tiny hole in one of the chairs. He moved again, taking several steps this time. His movements were sleek, reminding her of a big jungle cat she’d seen many years ago in the forest area of her home.

And for some reason, Isadora knew André was just as dangerous.

‘Is it you, Isadora?’ His voice had an almost lover-like quality to it. ‘Do you hide in the darkness with me?’

Isadora’s hand slipped to her neck, the pulse pounding against her palm. This was entrapment. If she were a fool, she would almost believe he was being playful. Indeed, his voice had a tone to it that would trick most people into thinking there was a light-heartedness to it.

But Isadora was no fool. The warning was clear; she could feel its threat.

André’s head tilted as if he were listening. Could he hear the heavy thud of her heart as it slammed against her breastbone? Surely he could as it was almost the only sound in her ears.

‘My servants would have answered me by now, Isadora.

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