Rebellious Rake, Innocent Governess by Elizabeth Beacon

Author:Elizabeth Beacon
Language: ron
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: England, Fiction / Romance / Regency
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-12-03T11:30:00+00:00

Kate was so astounded by her ladyship’s brazen assumption of an air of gentle, regretful reproach that she let herself be dragged out of the front door and down the steps before she gathered her senses to protest their duplicity. Charlotte heard her struggle to condemn them both in front of the servants, without giving them any hint of why, and decided that at least one of her pupils seemed likely to do her credit. She might have to strangle the other one with her bare hands, of course, so perhaps she had no need to worry about how her future, and present, conduct might reflect on her teaching.

Ben quirked an ironic eyebrow at her as she stood silently fuming as she watched the Carnwoods’ town chariot leave the square with its usual elegant display of wealth and good taste. Nothing about it gave away the fact that two schemers worthy of Machiavelli himself were aboard, Charlotte decided vengefully.

‘Lost for words, Miss Wells?’ he quizzed.

‘No, I could find a good many if I were not a lady,’ she told him with her best attempt at regal dignity, ‘and probably without pausing for breath,’ she added in a furious murmur he surely couldn’t hear, and yet there was such an expression of laughing understanding in his eyes she felt compelled to frown at him, just in case she forgot herself and laughed at such transparent manoeuvring, when she would probably be as safe with him this morning as if they had been shipwrecked on a deserted island.

‘Doubtless,’ he said and she could see that he had recalled how little he wanted to be left to her exclusive company as the laughter faded and he stared at her as if not sure whether to expect hysterics or icy fury.

‘I believe you were busy, Mr Shaw,’ she reminded him briskly. ‘I know I have a great deal to do this morning.’

‘Poor Izzie,’ he said softly, even as he glanced back into Lord Carnwood’s study as if impatient to be safely closeted inside it once more.

‘That is debatable,’ she replied shortly. ‘I wish you good morning, Mr Shaw,’ she added as she turned to climb the stairs once more and at least put a few floors of elegant Palladian architecture between them.

‘Good morning, Miss Wells,’ he replied absently, yet when she could not help herself taking one last look before the stairs turned he was watching her go, just as if he could see inside her silly head and knew what an effort it cost her to stay straight-backed and buttoned up in his company.

Memory of that kiss crackled in the air separating them as her eyes met his and a flush burnt along her cheekbones so fiercely she prayed he couldn’t see it from such a distance. Maybe he could and maybe not, but he took a step forwards before good sense obviously overcame the impulse and he swung about and marched briskly back to sanctuary, leaving her looking at the shining mahogany of one of Lord Carnwood’s fine doors with wistful bewilderment.

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