When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,60

your more proper governesses failed.”

“Of course I can’t deny that.” Carlin eyed her skeptically while refilling his cup from the silver pot. “Yet your speech is too refined for someone who grew up in the East End.”

At the orphanage, Tessa had been taunted by the matron for her fancy airs and had learned to pepper her words with local color. “I paid close heed to the ladies who frequented the shop. But more important, I was taught proper speech by my mother. Mama picked it up while working as a maid in a lord’s house, until he got her with child and turned her out onto the street.”

That drew a sharp frown from Carlin. She expected him to recoil at her base birth, but he merely said, “Which lord?”

“I don’t know. That is the crux of the matter, and the reason why I came here to Carlin House. I was hoping to discover his identity.”

Carlin set down his cup with a clatter. “Good God. If you’re implying he was someone in my family—”

“No, I’m not. Let me explain.” Tessa drew out the delicate gold pendant and let it rest in her palm. “My mother was struck down by a carriage as we were crossing the street. As she lay dying, she gave me this necklace. She said it would help me to find my father. But being only six years of age, I had no notion of-of what she meant.”

As her voice choked, the duke’s expression seemed to soften. But in the next instant he flicked a doubtful glance at the pendant. “You expect me to believe that no one at this foundling home noticed that you were wearing a gold chain around your neck, let alone ever tried to steal it?”

“I made sure always to wear a high-necked gown or a shawl at my throat. Mama had warned me to guard it, you see. It wasn’t until recently that I realized the design on it is more than just a pretty decoration, it’s the key to identifying my father. You’ll understand if you take a closer look.”

Carlin left his chair and sat beside her. He picked up the pendant and leaned closer to give it a cursory inspection in the sunlight. The mere brush of his fingers disturbed her heartbeat, as did his scent of dark spice. It brought the haunting reminder of how low she’d fallen in his esteem.

“It’s a coat of arms,” he said flatly.

She nodded. “My father’s coat of arms. I’ve tried for the past year to look for this crest on carriage doors or on a house here in Mayfair. But while working at the millinery I had only one afternoon free a week. That’s why I took the position here, in the hope of having more opportunities to walk around the neighborhood. Alas, you forbade me to take Lady Sophy off the premises.”

“An elaborate ruse when you needed only to consult a book on heraldry.”

“Perhaps you’ll think me stupid, but I didn’t realize that such a book even existed until Miss Knightley told me. That was on the very afternoon before you found me here in your study.”

Carlin dropped the dainty pendant back into Tessa’s palm. “For all I know you could have picked up that necklace in a pawnshop.”

Bitter frustration clogged her throat. “Then ask Miss Knightley. She can confirm my story. Or would you rather believe that I bought an article of jewelry on the off chance that I might need to con my new employer with it? As if I could even afford such an expensive piece on the pittance I was earning!”

His dark brows snapped together in a frown. He seemed to consider her words a moment before gruffly saying, “All right, then. Presuming you’re telling the truth, what do you mean to do once you’ve learned this man’s name? Blackmail him?”

“Certainly not,” she said through clenched teeth. It wouldn’t do to antagonize the duke when her life hung in the balance. “All I have ever wanted in life was to open my own millinery shop. So when I find my father, I intend to ask the callous lecher to advance me a loan. It’s the least he can do to make up for his years of neglect.”

Angling away from Carlin, Tessa turned her head lest he spy the hot moisture welling in her eyes. Her fingers trembled from the force of her emotions as she tucked the pendant back inside the bodice of her gown. It was clear that