Her Kilt-Clad Rogue Read Free Page B

need to remind me. And I’m not prickly.”
    He laughed again, a deep, rich sound. “If I offended ye, I offer my sincere apology. I meant only to suggest that ye are quite capable of handling a firebrand such as Ewan. I’ll be the first to admit the lad is no’ easy to manage.”
    “Ewan is just a child.”
    “A very willful and disobedient child.”
    “No doubt aggravated by the sudden loss of his mother.”
    Connor sighed. “Aye, it has been difficult for him.”
    “And for you?” She had no idea how that slipped out of her mouth. Mortified, she clamped her lips together and wished the floor would swallow her whole.
    He took his time before he answered her. “A lad needs his mother.”
    She noticed no trace of sorrow or regret in his voice. “I heard what happened. I’m sorry.”
    He waved a hand dismissively. “’Tis a matter that is o’er. Ewan is the one who concerns me now.”
    Genevieve understood that the matter was now closed. “Have you discipline in place for the boy?”
    He shrugged. “Since I’m no’ around much, I’m no’ always able to provide a firm or consistent hand. He minds me well enough when I am here. But ’tis no’ enough. That’s why we hired ye. Consistency and firmness. Qualities I’ve seen for myself that ye possess.”
    Not exactly the words every woman wanted to hear, but it indicated he had faith in her. Given her present circumstances that, above all, was important.
    “Thank you. But discipline is only a small part of instruction. What about his letters and sums?”
    “Aye, that, too, is most important. The other governesses reported that the boy is a bit dim-witted. As a result, I fear ’twill be most difficult to encourage him to attend to his studies in the first place.”
    She considered this. “Will you then support my efforts to impose some sort of organized discipline with him?”
    He raised a dark eyebrow. “Organized discipline?”
    “Punishment. Withdrawal of privileges, confinement to his room and so on.”
    “Does this include floggings?”
    Genevieve gasped. “Certainly not.”
    Again amusement flashed in his eyes. “Why no’?”
    “Because it won’t be necessary.”
    “Ye dinna know Ewan verra well.”
    “It doesn’t matter how well I know him. I will not whip any child.”
    “Ye seem certain about a great many things.”
    “Well, I’m quite positive about that.”
    His mouth curved into a smile so dazzling she felt warm from it. “Then ye have my full support, o’ course.”
    “I’m grateful for that.” Perhaps this wouldn’t be as difficult as she had anticipated. Now the question that she wanted, no, needed to hear the answer to.
    “May I be so bold as to inquire why you requested me? Given your position and status, certainly you had many more, let’s say…suitable choices.”
    He seemed surprised by the question and leaned back, threading his long, tapered fingers together. “Only if I may first ask why ye chose to become a governess. ’Twas no’ your only choice. I heard ye turned down a suitor.”
    So he had heard. Her cheeks flamed. “I…I thought it best at the time.” Of course, she hadn’t known then that the old man would be the one person to ever ask for her hand. “Nevertheless, I enjoy learning so given my present circumstances, the post of governess seemed a proper, even enjoyable choice for me. Your offer came at just the right time.” Of course, it had been her only offer under very dire circumstances, but he didn’t need to know that.
    Again his gaze raked over her and she felt her face grow even warmer. But to her great relief, he pressed no further on the matter.
    “Well, because ye asked, I’ll tell ye why I invited ye here to assume the post o’ governess. I remember ye as an able young lass with a discerning eye, quick wit and easy smile. Ye challenged me, and I liked that. Now, I hope ye’ll do the same for my son.”
    An able young lass. So, that’s how he remembers me.
    She didn’t know