The Duke of Defiance (The Untouchables #5)(46)

Evie nodded. “It’s all right that you didn’t bring marzipan. I learned to make it at my friend’s house.” Her eyes widened with mischief, and she smiled. “I’ll be right back!” She dashed from the room, and the three of them turned their heads to watch her go.

“Ah, to be able to move like that,” Lady Dunn said wistfully. “Sit, Mrs. Shaw. Tell me, how do you like being a governess?”

Mrs. Shaw took a chair near Bran’s. “I enjoy it immensely. Evie is a delightful child.”

“Yes, you couldn’t ask for a better charge, I think. And I imagine you’re proving quite helpful to Knighton as he navigates London.” Lady Dunn cocked her head to the side. “Although, you’re relatively new to town yourself, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I’ve only been here a matter of weeks really. In fact, I think Knighton and I might have arrived around the same time.” She glanced toward him, and it was as if they had a shared history. Of course they didn’t, but they were building one.

“She has been most helpful, however,” Bran pointed out. “As you know, I’ve had trouble with the staff, and Mrs. Shaw has been instrumental in smoothing things out.”

Lady Dunn gave Mrs. Shaw an approving look. “Have you, then? How wonderful.” She tipped her gaze back to Bran. “I did notice you have a new butler. He’s quite young. Are you certain he’s up to the task?”

“Yes. He stepped in to help with things after I dismissed Kerr, and it occurred to me that he could do the job quite well.”

With a cluck of her tongue, Lady Dunn smiled again. “Just like you to resist convention and do what you please.”

“That does seem to be working for him,” Mrs. Shaw said.

Bran turned his head toward her, surprised by her comment. It wasn’t defensive, per se, but she’d leapt to his aid. More and more he felt as though they operated like a team. This was dangerous territory.

Evie ran back into the room and unfurled her hand in front of Lady Dunn. There on her palm was the marzipan turtle she made at the Kendals’. “This is what I made. We have turtles like this on Barbados. Would you like to have it?”

Lady Dunn gingerly picked it up and brought it close to her face to study. “My goodness, this is quite dear. You really want to give it to me?” Her gaze was tinged with emotion as she looked at Evie.

Evie nodded. “That way you have something to remind you of me, just like I have something to remind me of you.”

“My dear girl, this is the most precious thing. But I daresay I don’t need an object. You are far too difficult to forget.” She set the turtle on her lap. “I’ll treasure it, thank you.”

Pride welled in Bran’s chest. He’d often wondered if he’d be able to raise Evie by himself, especially given his quirks. But she seemed to be doing all right, which he supposed meant he was doing all right too.

They chatted for a while longer about Barbados, and Bran told his godmother about the pressed flowers he’d found and how he wanted to have them framed.

“I know just the place where you can have that done,” Lady Dunn said. “I’ll write down the address.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Bran said.

Mrs. Shaw stood. “It’s time for us to return to our lessons, Evie.”

Evie had sat next to Lady Dunn and now reluctantly pushed to her feet. “If we must. See you next time, Lady D.”

“Next time, sweet Evie.” Lady Dunn gave her another hug and then Mrs. Shaw took her back up to the nursery.

“Such a wonderful girl,” Lady Dunn said. “And Mrs. Shaw seems invaluable.”

He recalled using just that word the other day at the Tower of London. “Incredibly, yes. We’re very lucky.”

Lady Dunn watched him a moment. “It occurs to me that she could be a potential countess. I sensed a certain…connection between the two of you. Have you considered it?”

Hell. He’d more than considered it. He’d bloody well asked her. And she’d rightfully refused. She’d been correct in her assessment—they’d barely known each other, and he’d rushed to ask her. But now they’d been acquainted several weeks, the last of which she’d spent in his household. He saw her multiple times a day, and their bedchambers were across the hall. As of yet, he hadn’t encountered her coming or going, but that was only a matter of time. What would happen then? He was more than attracted to her; he wanted her. He thought of her often, particularly when he went to bed at night and imagined her so close and yet so far away.

“Ah, yes. I’ve considered it.”

Lady Dunn’s expression flickered with surprise. “Indeed? Is there a reason you wouldn’t pursue it?”

Because he’d already been rejected? He might consider trying again, since they knew each other better, and he was certain they held each other in mutual esteem. But there was the matter of her not being able to give him more children. And that, unfortunately, made it a moot issue.

“There are…complications. I don’t believe it’s possible.”

Lady Dunn’s eyes narrowed, and she waved a hand. “Stuff and nonsense. Anything is possible if you try.”

Bran didn’t believe that. As a child, his mother had railed at him about his idiosyncrasies, telling him that if he only tried, he’d be able to get through the day wearing everything he ought. “That’s something you tell children to motivate them.”