Mr. Gardiner and the Governess - Sally Britton Page 0,66

Didn’t it? “I wish to show my son the work you have completed for the catalog of the gardens. Did Mr. Gardiner leave behind any of the drawings?”

Alice sensed escape and spoke eagerly. “Yes, there are several in the schoolroom that I have finished coloring only this morning. I can fetch them—”

“No, no. You must join the family. The children are adamant that you meet Simon. We can send someone for the sketches.” Then he held his hand out to her.

The duke. Offered her his hand.

Alice’s head went dizzy with relief and fear all at once. The duke had never even spoken to her directly before. Yet here he called her by name, addressed her with respect before another man, and offered her escort to safety.

Rupert had said the duke and the duchess were kind. But she had not thought someone so far above her in status would ever deign to pay her notice.

She slipped her hand into his, and the duke turned to lead them back through the door. He did not invite Mr. Briant to follow, so the man could not impose his company on the duke. It was near enough a cut-direct that Alice trembled at the retribution Mr. Briant might enact upon her.

The duke stepped inside the door, and a footman—wherever had he been when she needed him there?—closed the door behind them.

“There now, Miss Sharpe.” The duke turned to look down at her, a gentle expression upon his noble face. He looked exactly like his portrait hanging at the top of the stairs in the family wing—tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair starting to gray at the temples. He had a long nose, but his cheekbones and strong chin balanced it well. “You are safe.”

Alice went cold from her fingertips to her toes, but her cheeks grew hot. “Your Grace, I did not mean for anything to happen. I was surprised. I didn’t expect—” And then the sob broke free of her, and Alice pulled her hand from his gentle grasp to cover her mouth with both palms.

The duke remained silent while she fought for control over her emotions, but his expression was nothing but kind. He spoke with softness when she grew quiet again. “I have three daughters, Miss Sharpe. All of whom care for you. I have raised my sons to conduct themselves honorably. James saw you were distressed. I came at once.”

Her jaw fairly hit the ground between them. “Lord James?”

“He looked out the dining-room window.” The duke pointed to the floor above. “And said that it appeared you were being chased. I agreed and came. You are, at my word, a member of my household and under my protection. Mr. Briant will be gone before noon.” He sighed deeply and looked up the stairs. “And I must have a word with my eldest about the company he keeps.”

Then the Duke of Montfort offered her his arm. “I am certain there are people waiting for us, Miss Sharpe. Will you join my family upstairs?”

Alice nodded once, hardly believing how a nightmare had transformed into a splendid dream. How else could she explain the quick reversal of her situation only moments before?

If—no, when Rupert returned, she would tell him how right he was to trust and esteem the duke.

Chapter 21

“Father, I have to go. I have already been away too long.” Rupert checked his watch. If he left in the next hour, he would arrive at Castle Clairvoir in time to find Alice before dinner.

His father glanced over the edge of the book he read, seated in his favorite chair of the library. “But Mr. Lee is still here, and he is highly interested in your studies.”

“I doubt that.” Rupert released a frustrated sigh. “I think he is only being polite and enjoying the fine accommodations. Perhaps he’s interested in your observations of the effect a full moon has on nesting birds.”

Mr. Lee had a fine scientific mind, as the librarian and clerk of the Royal Society must, but his own interests were nearer the heavens than the creeping things of the earth. Rupert could not fault the man for his preference, but it certainly made his journey to his parents’ home feel wasteful.

Mother sat in a chair nearby, perusing a women’s journal. “Mr. Lee does enjoy talking about the moon. Perhaps you might find something to discuss with moths and moonlight, Rupert.” Her tiny smile of amusement was her only indication of teasing.

How did he make them understand? Rupert needed to take his