My Fair Temptress by Dodd Christina

Author:Dodd, Christina [Dodd, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780061750014
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2007-02-27T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Jude dawdled in the foyer, listening as Nevett’s voice rose and fell behind the closed door of his study—mostly rose—and Jude grinned. He’d played an awful trick on Caroline, but he needed her at his side again.

Unfortunately, Jude’s amusement led Phillips, on guard by the door, to let loose a nasty smile. “I knew she would get above herself, sir,” the butler said smugly. “She’s that sort of female.”

“Did you?” Jude’s grin cooled. “I would have said she was the sort of female whom I’ll be escorting to parties.”

“Only because she’s your governess,” Phillips said, with stiff daring.

“I would take it ill, very ill indeed, should gossip be spread beyond the bounds of this house about my governess.” Jude stepped close to Phillips. The butler was shorter, older, set in his ways, but in his faded eyes Jude saw a hint of meanness. “Any kind of gossip, but especially gossip detrimental to Miss Ritter.”

“Of course not.” Phillips pokered up. “I don’t gossip.”

“Nor should your minions.”

“Not a breath shall escape the household.” All trace of Phillips’s satisfaction was gone now.

“Good.” A silence fell in Nevett’s study.

Jude lost interest in the butler, for the door snapped open, and Caroline stalked out.

With a single glance, Jude knew he was in trouble now. “Miss Ritter, you look glorious this morning.”

Caroline’s morning dress of dark blue merino covered her from neck to wrists to toes. The skirt was wide, but not too wide, as befitting a woman of modest means, and she wore a white lace pelerine over her shoulders tied in a dark blue necktie.

She paid no heed to him or his courtesy, but stalked up to Phillips. With an indignation that made Phillips back away, she said, “I believe this would be a good time for you to go to His Grace and confess your sins.”

“Such effrontery!” Phillips snapped. Then, “What sins?”

“The sin of eavesdropping.” Still without acknowledging Jude, she strode into the library. He followed, and found her standing with her arms stiff at her side and her eyes hot and resentful. “You did it on purpose,” she accused. “Don’t tell me you didn’t.”

“Did what?” As if he didn’t know.

“Behaved like a fool at the Lawrences’ ball and alienated every lady there.”

“Why would I do that?” Jude pretended a bland ignorance.

“So that I would be forced to go with you to Baron Atherton’s ball tomorrow night.”

Jude placed his fingers on his chest and sighed miserably. “I’m crushed that you can accuse me of such manipulative behavior.”

She caught her breath as if she wanted to blast him, then slowly let it out. She was too aware of her position as governess to give him the upbraiding he deserved.

He glanced out the open door into the foyer, where he knew Phillips stood, ears straining to hear their quarrel. If they’d been alone, would Caroline have felt free to shout at Jude? Perhaps. He hoped so. He rather enjoyed seeing his governess pushed beyond the bounds of propriety. Wonderful things happened there. Marvelous things, seductive things.

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