The Duke of Defiance (The Untouchables #5)(56)

While they ate, Evie told stories about Barbados, regaling Jo with tales of her pets, including her horse, all of which they’d left behind. Why hadn’t he gotten her a new one? Or a cat or a dog? He was an idiot.

“Do you ride well?” Jo asked her.

Evie nodded after finishing the last of her sandwich. “Yes. Papa started teaching me when I was three.”

Jo glanced at him in mild alarm. “Goodness, that seems so young.”

Bran shrugged. “Things were different there.” He looked at Evie. “It occurs to me that you need a new horse. I’ll look into it. Would you like that?”

She nodded, smiling widely. “Ever so much, thank you!”

“Evie!” A girl’s squeal carried across the reservoir.

Evie squinted in that direction and then jumped to her feet. “It’s Becky!”

Becky was with a woman but quickly darted away from her to run around the reservoir. Evie dashed from the blanket to meet her.

Bran smiled as he watched them.

“You’re an exceptional father,” Jo said quietly.

Bran turned his head and saw that she was watching him intently. “I try. She makes it very easy.”

The girls came to the blanket, their arms linked. “Papa,” Evie said. “Becky has invited me to come to her house for the afternoon. May I go?”

“I’m not certain it will be all right with the duchess.” Bran looked over at Jo in silent question.

“Mama would say it’s fine,” Becky said, turning to Jo. “Wouldn’t she, Aunt Jo?”

“I’m sure she would,” Jo agreed.

“Do you have plans for the afternoon?” Bran asked.

“Nothing that can’t be postponed,” Jo said, turning to Becky. “I can come fetch you later.”

Becky’s governess finally caught up to them at the blanket. “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon,” Bran said. “The girls have hatched a plan to spend the afternoon together. Can you think of a reason Evie can’t return home with you?”

The governess was quiet a moment before shaking her head. “I cannot. I’d planned to work on sewing this afternoon.” She smiled at Evie. “Would you like to join us in that endeavor, Lady Evie?”

Becky looked at her friend eagerly. “We’re going to make dresses for the puppets Father brought home the other day.”

“Oh, that sounds marvelous!” Evie turned to Bran with pleading eyes. “Please, Papa?”

It sounded as though it would be all right with everyone, and he couldn’t ignore the fact that it would leave him alone with Jo. “Yes, you may go. Jo will fetch you later. I have to meet with my secretary.” He planned to talk with him about procuring a horse.

The girls danced in delight and a few minutes later headed back the way they’d come with the governess.

Jo began to repack the basket.

“Are you in a hurry to return home?” Bran asked.

“You said you have an appointment.”

“I didn’t say it was immediately.”

She kept her gaze averted and busied herself quite thoroughly with her task.

“Jo.”

She tipped her head toward him.

“Sit with me. Please.”

It took her a minute before she finally sat down next to the basket. Her shoulders were stiff, her back arrow straight.

He scooted closer to her so that only a matter of inches separated them. From here he could just catch her scent. It tantalized him almost as much as her simple proximity. Her long lashes fluttered against her cheeks as she blinked toward the basin. Her lips were slightly parted. He imagined taking her in his arms and kissing her, pressing her back against the blanket, the sun warming them from above. He suddenly had an image of doing the same thing, but back on Barbados, on the beach, with the warm surf stealing over their bodies. His cock grew stiff, and he forced himself back to this moment.

“You’ve been avoiding me. Did I do something wrong? Do you regret the other night?” He held his breath, almost afraid of her answer.

She flashed him a tentative glance. “I… It’s nothing.”

He moved a bit closer until they were nearly touching, his hip and her knee. “It’s never nothing where you’re concerned.”

She swung her head toward his and pierced him with an inquisitive, almost accusatory stare. “When you asked me to be your governess, what were your intentions?”

He blinked, unsettled at her dark tone. “For you to be Evie’s governess. I’m not sure I understand your question.”

She pressed her lips together, and he sensed she was dissatisfied with his answer. But of course she was. He had no idea what she was talking about. Unless…hell. He sorted it out just as she said it: “Did you hire me so that you could seduce me?”

“Of course not.” Except that he had hoped to at least kiss her again. “I did not hire you for that sole purpose. However, I am also not sorry that things between us…progressed.”

“So you considered the possibility?”

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hopeful—if you recall, I proposed marriage to you.”

“Which I firmly declined,” she said sternly. “And would still decline.”