A Governess for the faithless Duke (Regency Romance) (Regency Tales Book 3) Read Free Page B

uncontrollable reaction to her.
    “Good morning, Miss Williams,” he said. “Welcome to Marbleton House. I trust you had a good journey.”
    “Oh, yes, thank you, Your Grace, it was a beautiful day for a drive in the country.” She smiled again, and his gut clenched.
    Edmund shook himself inwardly. This sort of physical reaction was inappropriate, first because she was a stranger, and second because she was employed to work in his household. A woman of no rank would also be the last person he should show any interest in, no matter how devastatingly beautiful she was. He knew she was the older daughter of a vicar, and that she was said to be an accomplished young woman, despite her youth. She was fifteen years his junior, and at thirty-five, Edmund had met and mated with a few women both older and more experienced than this young slip of a girl. He owed it to himself and his family to remain aloof, though he would treat her well, particularly if she could manage to rein in his young charges and train them well.
    Which brought him to the fourth thing that he noticed. He swept his gaze across the room. His nieces were quietly undertaking their lessons, obviously working hard on whatever it was that she had given them to do. The sight was both amusing and enchanting to him, and bode well for the new governess’s time in his household. It had been more than six months since the girls had arrived at Marbleton House, and in all that time, he had not managed to find a governess who seemed able to handle the challenge they presented. His brother had not been in the best of health before his death, and his nieces had been allowed to do as they pleased.
    It seemed they had met their perfect match, and he was suddenly glad that he had not chosen the older woman whom he had been considering for the position. Aside from the fact that she had not been anywhere near as attractive as the beauty before him, he began to think that her age might have been a factor against her. Charlotte Williams was young enough to be able to remember what it was like to be his nieces’ age, and limber enough to keep up with their antics. Amused at the thought he turned back towards his new governess.
    “I seem to have interrupted the children in their studies. Perhaps I should return at another time?”
    Although it was the last thing he wanted to do, he made the offer, as it seemed the right thing to do under the circumstances. Happily, she did not send him away. Though her reasons for delaying his departure would have nothing to do with any desire to retain his company, and everything to do with her charges.
    “Please, Your Grace, if you can spare a few moments,” she said, stepping away from the children to the other side of the large room, and indicating that she wished him to follow her, “I would like to request some supplies, and permission to arrange the girls’ days a little differently.”
    “Please sit down, Miss Williams,” he said, realizing that she would remain standing unless invited to sit, even in her own schoolroom. Something about that made him smile.
    “Now tell me how I can help.”
    “Well, firstly, I think the girls need to rise earlier than they currently do each day. I would like to begin their lessons earlier, before a formal breakfast. If this revised arrangement meets your approval. I can ensure that they have a snack to tide them over until then, whilst we take walks or go riding. But I will need your permission to address the groom regarding the horses.”
    Her face had taken on a deep concentration as she consulted a list she had apparently made since her arrival.
    Her efficiency was both charming and admirable.
    “I shall instruct him to be ready to do your bidding whenever you need him to do so. However, regarding the walks, Molly already takes the girls for a walk each afternoon, at my insistence.”
    Charlotte smiled at him. “I understand, Your Grace, but my walks will be rather more of an educational rather