But what to tell her? How looking at these girls makes me think of the brother I have lost? Of the woman I once loved. No. But I have to say something.
Richard took a breath and then said, “Miss Wright. I have no experience with children at all. I’ve never been a father, or had younger brothers, or cousins close by. Of course, I care for my nieces, but I need time before I learn how to approach them properly.”
He met her eyes then and felt a jolt of … something powerful he didn’t understand. He wanted her approval, he realized, strange as that might seem. He wanted her to understand. And yet he couldn’t tell her everything.
“Your Grace,” she said. She was back to her usual calm self again, but he could see the stubbornness in her face and hear the steel backing up her tone. “I would have you remember, for both those girls and for your own sake, their needs are considerably more important than your hesitations.”
How to respond? He could hardly disagree. Those children … Lucas’s daughters, Isla’s daughters … none of this was their fault. They had lost everything, and he was the only person they had left. Kathy was right, of course she was right, but what could he do about it? How could he explain that even looking at the youngest girl made his heart seize in his chest?
“I … cannot learn to be a father overnight,” he said eventually. He was speaking quietly, measuredly, but though he tried to keep it out of his voice, he heard the note of frustration there. “I cannot be a replacement for Lucas in this. Children are far more precious and far more complicated than any duchy.”
Especially these children.
“You could start with being an uncle,” she said quietly. “Or even a friend to them. Lucas and Isla were both very close with their daughters. It was good to see.”
Did he imagine it, or did an expression of pity cross her eyes only briefly? With a start, he remembered Kathy was in mourning, too. Kathy hadn’t just been Isla and Lucas’s employee, but their friend. He wondered how close she had been – had she known Lucas first, or Isla? Had she loved them?
“Well, then,” Kathy said finally. Her voice was businesslike, back to that of the governess. “I have a proposal for you. You will meet me in the schoolroom tomorrow at dawn.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “And why would I do that?”
“Why, for your lessons, of course,” Kathy replied. She smiled. “You obviously have a lot to learn, and so you will do so in my classroom, alongside your nieces. Do not be late.”
“I—” Richard started, but Kathy had already turned around. With her head held high, she walked out of the room, not glancing back once.
The silence in the room when she left was so heavy that Richard would not have been surprised to hear a pin drop to the ground. Then, as perhaps was inevitable, Stephen started to laugh.
“My God, Richie, she’s quite the firebrand,” he chuckled. “How delightfully inappropriate. It seems you have your work cut out for you.”
“Oh, hush,” Richard told him, but honestly, he was hardly paying attention. His eyes were on the door, the image of the love and passion on that face still firmly imprinted in the forefront of his mind.
This woman is like none I’ve met before.
The problem, such as it was, was that he really couldn’t tell whether that bothered him or excited him more.
A Message from Abby
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed every page and I would love to hear your thoughts whether it be a review online or you contact me via my website. I am eternally grateful for you and none of this would be possible without our shared love of romance.
I pray that someday I will get to meet each of you and thank you in person, but in the meantime, all I can do is tell you how amazing you are.
As I prepare my next love story for you, keep believing in your dreams and know that mine would not be possible without you.
With Love,
About Starfall Publications
Starfall Publications has helped me and so many others extend my passion from writing to you.
The prime focus of this company has been – and always will be – quality and I am honored to be able to publish my books under their name.
Having said that, I would like to officially thank Starfall Publications for offering me the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful, hard-working team!
Thanks to them, my dreams – and your dreams — have come true!
About Abby Ayles
Abby Ayles was born in the northern city of Manchester, England, but currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and their three cats. She holds a Master’s degree in History and Arts and worked as a history teacher in middle school.
Her greatest interest lies in the era of Regency and Victorian England and Abby shares her love and knowledge of these periods with many readers in her newsletter.
In addition to this she has also written her first romantic novel, The Duke's Secrets, which is set in the era and is available for free on her website. As one reader commented “Abby’s writing makes you travel back in time!”
When she has time to herself, Abby enjoys going to the theatre, reading and watching documentaries about Regency and Victorian England.
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Also by Abby Ayles
The Lady, The Duke and The Gentleman
A Broken Heart’s Redemption
Falling for the Governess
The Lady’s Gamble
The Lady’s Patient
Saving Lady Abigail
Engaging Love
Portrait of Love
A Mysterious Governess for the Reluctant Earl
Loving A Lady
Redeeming Love for the Haunted Ladies
The Secret to the Ladies’ Hearts
Falling for the Hartfield Ladies
Capturing the Viscount’s Heart
The Odd Mystery of the Cursed Duke
Secret Dreams of a Fearless Governess
A Second Chance for the Tormented Lady
The Lady in the Gilded Cage
The Mysteries of a Lady's Heart
A Daring Captain for her Loyal Heart
The Earl's Wager for a Lady's Heart
Melting a Duke's Winter Heart
A Guiding Light for the Lost Earl
A Loving Duke for the Shy Duchess
The Earl Behind the Mask
Freed by The Love of an Earl
The Lady of the Lighthouse
Chronicles of Regency Love
Inconveniently Betrothed to an Earl
A Forbidden Gamble for the Duke’s Heart
A Muse for the Lonely Marquess
Broken Hearts and Doting Earls
A Forbidden Bid for the Lady’s Heart
A Healer for the Marquess’ Heart
A Reluctant Bride for the Baron
A Forbidden Love for the Rebellious Baron
How to Train a Duke in the Ways of Love
Caught in the Storm of a Duke’s Heart
A Christmas Worth Remembering