What the Duke Wants(43)

The duke’s brow furrowed for a moment then his countenance lit up, understanding clearly dawning in his mind.

Carlotta held her breath as he bent down to Berty’s level.

“Well, Miss Berty. It seems as if something is amiss. As beautiful as your smile is, it seems to be missing… something.” He gave her a serious expression as he made a show of studying her teeth.

Carlotta bit her lip to keep her grin in check. Her heart softened, it was times like these when he didn’t even realize how compassionate and kind he was, that it unsettled her the most. It gave her a glimpse into what could never be hers.

Which hurt more than she was willing to admit.

“Do you think, your grace, that I look like an evil pirate?” Berty asked, leaning forward.

“Er, well, I suppose.” He glanced up to Carlotta as if to discern how to answer such a question.

She shrugged.

“I’d have to say yes, you do put me in the mind of a pirate, though perhaps, not an evil one.”

Berty swished her skirts as she swayed. “Thank you, your grace. I better obey Miss Lottie now. Oh! Welcome to Greenford Waters!” She reached out and hugged his neck and then released him abruptly and began skipping down the hall.

The duke had such a look of shock on his face that Carlotta couldn’t contain her bark of laughter. Immediately covering her mouth, it wasn’t quick enough to stave off the bubbling mirth.

The duke stood, offering her a raised eyebrow before she was able to contain herself.


“I say, Charles, what is going on out here?” Lady Southridge walked into the hall, her gaze immediately settling on Carlotta. With a beaming smile, she nudged the duke in the back, her gaze shifting expectantly to him before returning to Carlotta.

“Oh, yes.” The duke cleared his throat and made the introductions. “Lady Southridge? May I introduce you to Miss Carlotta, governess to my three wards.”

Carlotta inwardly winced at the stoic introduction. It was for the best, she knew, but that didn’t stop it from hurting.

But if he wanted her to be his mistress, he had another thing coming. It was best this way.

It had to be.

“Miss Carlotta! I’m so pleased to meet you! I’ve heard so much about you!” Lady Southridge gushed, her green eyes warm and inviting, not at all cool and calculating as Carlotta had anticipated.

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She curtseyed and took a small step back, feeling as if she should further distinguish between their ranks in society.

“You’re every bit as lovely as Charles said.” Lady Southridge stepped forward.

Carlotta cut a startled glance to the duke who seemed to be very uncomfortable.

She understood his discomfort completely. It mirrored her own emotions.

But she didn’t feel the least bit sorry for him.

“I’m sure his grace was simply being very kind,” she demurred, rapidly searching for a way to escape, one that wouldn’t offend the duke’s guest.

“Oh Charles isn’t one—”

“Miss Lottie was helping locate a wayward young lady, who is now, presumably, back in the school room. I’m sure you’re anxious to attend to her.” The duke offered her the perfect escape.

She nodded and bid her farewells, walking down the hall. Her emotions were a jumbled mix of gratitude and heartache. Gratitude for the duke giving her the perfect escape from an awkward situation, but heartache for the way it was done.

Cursing her oversensitivity, she almost didn’t hear Lady Southridge’s scolding. “Well, if that is how you treat her, no wonder you’re having issues. I am now fully convinced you need my assistance.”

“Bloody—”

“Charles!”

“Hell.”

Carlotta couldn’t help but smile as she walked the rest of the way to the schoolroom. She puzzled over the meaning of Lady Southridge’s words, but more than anything, she delighted in someone telling the great Duke of Clairmont what to do.

It was about time.

****

Later on that afternoon, Tibbs came in to request their presence at dinner. The girls squealed with delight over having a formal dinner rather than their usual quiet meal in the nursery. Noticing the girls’ attention severely lacking, Carlotta quit lessons earlier than usual to allow the girls ample time to ready themselves.

Carlotta helped them dress and enlisted the help of Mary, the maid, to help arrange their hair. By the time Tibbs came into escort them to dinner, Carlotta had scarcely arrived in the nursery, having rushed through readying herself. She chose a deep green gown, one that was simple enough for a governess, but that highlighted the color of her eyes. She went a step further and loosened the prim chignon at the base of her neck so that it was more of a flowing style that softened her features.

More than once she told herself she was taking these steps for herself, not the duke, and that she would have done the same if he was not in residence and instead was having a practice formal dinner with the girls.

But her heart called her mind a liar.

While she would have dressed the same, even done her hair in a similar manner for the practice dinner, the idea wasn’t the same. She wanted to look beautiful, and if she were honest, she wanted him to want her. Even if nothing could come from it, she simply wanted to be wanted. Shaking her head at her own folly, she followed behind Tibbs to the parlor where they were to wait till dinner was served.