The Governess Was Wicked by Julia Kelly

Author:Julia Kelly [Kelly, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Star Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Edward’s heart jumped to his throat at the sight of Mr. Norton. He and Elizabeth were completely, utterly, and unquestionably caught, and while all it would bring him was embarrassment, the consequences would be so much worse for her.

“Harlot,” Norton spat out as he advanced on Elizabeth.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Norton, but—”

“Hussy,” the man raged, each insult churning a dangerous anger in the pit of Edward’s stomach. “Dolly-mop.”

“You will stop calling her those things.” His voice boomed through the room as the instinct to protect the woman he cared for kicked in before he even had time to think.

Mr. Norton turned on him slowly, his expression twisted with disgust and menace. “I’ll speak to her however I like. Miss Porter is a member of my household.”

Edward’s knuckles cracked as his fists clenched into tight balls. Elizabeth was a better person than either of them, and he wouldn’t stand back and watch her name dragged through the mud. Not now. Not ever.

“What you call her is very much my concern,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

Norton’s eyes narrowed. “I understand a man wanting a quick fuck now and then, but not under the same roof where my children sleep!”

“You will not use that language around a lady,” he said at the same time that Elizabeth said, “I would never do anything to harm your daughters.”

Their eyes met, and he grasped for a way to say the words he didn’t quite know how to articulate. She could fight this battle on her own—he had no doubt as to her strength—but he wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone. It wasn’t just obligation or a sense of duty that would keep him by her side. He wanted to be there in case she faced dragons that were too large for even her to slay.

Instead of leaning into him for help, however, Elizabeth drew herself up to her full height like a goddess ready to hurl her thunderbolts from the heavens.

“I have served faithful as your daughters’ governess for years, Mr. Norton,” she said. “You must believe me that my intention has always been to put them before everything else.”

“And I should believe the word of a lying slut?” Norton sneered.

“Enough!” Edward shouted.

“And what are you going to do about it?” asked Mr. Norton incredulously. “I can dismiss her whenever I find cause, and being alone in the library with a gentleman is enough cause for me. It’s what I’d do with any servant.”

“Miss Porter is not your servant.”

“She’s not a lady either, and you’d do well to remember that, Dr. Fellows.”

“I could call you out for this,” he growled.

“Stop this!” Elizabeth’s voice cut through the air, halting both men this time.

“Edward,” she said, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “This isn’t your fight.”

Except that it was. It had been since the moment she’d kissed him in the kitchen. That simple touch had been like a dam breaking—all the pent-up hopes and desires he’d hidden away over the years had come unleashed all at once.

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