If the Slipper Fits by Olivia Drake Read Free Book Online Page A

shan’t give it a second thought.”
    The earnestness of her expression, the warmth in her blue eyes, disturbed him on a visceral level. She would not feel so happy in a moment.
    Simon rose from the desk and strolled to the hearth, his hands clasped behind his back. “In regard to the position offered to you, I find myself in a quandary. Lady Milford failed to consult me in the matter. I never granted her permission to hire anyone.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I’m afraid you’ve journeyed here on a false promise, Miss Quinn. My nephew has no need of a governess. My staff handles his care quite competently.”
    The light faded from her eyes. Clasping her fingers together, she took a few steps toward him. “Are you quite certain Lady Milford never spoke to you about finding a governess? Perhaps she suggested it to you in passing, and you’ve merely forgotten.”
    “Absolutely not…”
    Yet a dim memory gave Simon pause. The last time Clarissa had come to visit, a few months ago, they had spoken briefly of Nicholas. She had suggested the boy needed love as much as an education. Unwilling to coddle him, Simon had dismissed the matter. But now Clarissa had taken it upon herself to meddle with the household staff.
    “I understand that her ladyship was a dear friend of the young duke’s great-grandmother,” Miss Quinn went on. “She spoke with great fondness of the boy, as if he were her own great-grandchild. Indeed, I’m certain she must have his best interests at heart.”
    Simon clenched his jaw. So much for docile and submissive. The woman was supposed to accept his verdict and depart the study, never to be seen again. Instead, she was actually trying to change his mind. How had he let himself be drawn into discussing his decisions with a mere servant?
    He stalked to the window, then turned back around. “ I am the boy’s guardian. I make the decisions regarding his care. And I say he is too old for a governess.”
    “I’m sure you’re a most excellent guardian,” she said, her chin lowered in a deceptively meek pose. “However, women have a strong instinct for the care of children. Lady Milford believes His Grace is in need of a woman’s supervision.” Before Simon could object, she hit him with a question. “Pray tell, what sort of boy is he?”
    “Quiet and well behaved. Which is why I won’t have him pampered and spoiled.”
    Though perhaps Nicholas was too quiet, Simon reflected grudgingly. Most days he didn’t even know there was a child on the premises, except for Fridays when the boy was brought to Simon’s study for an audience. Even then, Nicholas was painfully shy and had to be coaxed into speaking.
    “His situation is different from that of other little boys,” Miss Quinn observed. “Considering the tragic death of his parents, I doubt he would be spoiled by having someone who is steady and dependable in his life. Rather, he would benefit from having a bit of … mothering.”
    That was precisely the same argument Clarissa had used with Simon. At times he wondered if Clarissa had guessed his resentment toward the boy, although Simon took great pains to hide it. Nothing could be more shameful than to blame a child for the sins of his parents.
    Yet every time he looked at Nicholas, he saw Diana. Beautiful, fickle, deceitful Diana. Even after all these years, Simon could not rid himself of a cold kernel of hatred for his late sister-in-law.
    Miss Quinn was gazing at him expectantly. As if she trusted him to make the right choice for Nicholas. Damn it, why had he allowed himself to be drawn into this absurd debate?
    “You overstep your bounds, Miss Quinn. I see no reason to continue this conversation.”
    “It was never my intention to cause offense,” she said, bowing her head slightly and gazing up at him through the screen of her lashes. “I was only thinking of His Grace. Lady Milford gave me reason to believe that I could be of great comfort and guidance to him.”
    “Lady