When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,59

before a judge and charged with theft.”

Tessa gazed at him in horror. It would be her word against the testimony of a duke. She could well imagine how that would turn out. She’d be confined for the rest of her life in prison. Orrin, too. When the diaries weren’t found, Carlin would accuse him of having already sold them to the highest bidder.

A knock broke the tense silence. As if from a distance, she saw Carlin go to open the door. A footman entered, bearing a silver tray, and the duke directed him to place it on a table by the hearth. Her mind felt so mired in panic that she couldn’t think. It might have been a moment later or ten minutes that the duke took her arm and drew her up out of the chair.

She stiffened at his touch. Visions of iron-barred cells swam in her head. “Where are you taking me?”

“Over here. Now sit, you look pale enough to swoon.”

Tessa collapsed onto a chaise near the hearth. She scarcely felt the softness of the cushions. A fire burned on the grate, though she could not recall seeing anyone light it. The radiating heat caused her to shiver, making her realize she felt frozen to the core.

Carlin pressed a cup into her hand. “Take this.”

She obediently wrapped her fingers around the hot porcelain, took a sip of dark scalding liquid, and grimaced. “Ugh, coffee. And it’s far too sweet.”

“You’ve had a shock, and this will restore you. Drink it.”

Tessa lacked the strength to defy that brusque command. She choked down the coffee, wishing it were tea. But at least it helped to thaw her body from that terrible chill.

Carlin sat down opposite her and drank his own coffee. He took a jam tart, then offered the plate of pastries to her. She shook her head. Her stomach felt so cramped that not even a cream bun could tempt her.

Within a few moments, though, she rallied enough to say, “You should be happy for me to swoon. Then you needn’t bother with chains when you haul me off to prison.”

“I wouldn’t need chains for a dab of a woman like you.”

The remark did nothing to bolster her confidence. She was well aware that a man of his tall, muscled build could easily overcome any resistance from her. It was hard to fathom that this hard-eyed stranger was the same warm man who had kissed her with such passion, who had shown her his parrots and his plants, who had sought her advice about his daughter’s conduct.

But perhaps that was a big part of this, Tessa thought wretchedly. The duke had confided in her and now he felt betrayed. As much as it pained her to admit it, the circumstances were damning. By her own foolish lies, she had landed herself in hot water. And she couldn’t fault him for thinking the worst of her.

He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “You should know that you didn’t succeed in stealing the treasure map. It wasn’t in my notebooks.”

She blinked. “Oh?”

“Do you understand what I’m saying, Tessa? It means you’ve failed, and those diaries are useless to you. If you’ll return them at once, I might be persuaded to drop all charges.”

A flicker of hope in her wanted to believe he still harbored a modicum of faith in her. But he didn’t, and the only way to restore that faith was to admit everything. Not just to save her own skin but to offer restitution in the form of honesty. Even if he dismissed her, even if she ended up on the street with nowhere to go, she must do what was right.

Collecting her courage, she set aside her cup and folded her hands in her lap. “I will confess, Your Grace. But only to the charge of coming here to Carlin House under false pretenses. The truth is … I’ve never before worked as a governess. In my previous position, I was a milliner’s assistant.”

“A hatmaker!” His startled gaze burned into her. “You swore that you were experienced with children.”

“I am. I grew up in a foundling home, where it was my job to watch over the younger girls. If you doubt me, you may check the records at St. George’s on Mercer Street, where I lived for eight years. When I was fourteen, I found work at a millinery shop.” She lifted her chin. “And you cannot deny that Lady Sophy’s behavior is much improved. I’ve succeeded where