Sari Robins - [Andersen Hall Orphanage 05] by The Governess Wears Scarlet Read Free Book Online Page B

glare. “Let me be perfectly clear: I will not lie with you!”
    Steele’s jaw worked. “What? I never asked you to!”
    “You made it abundantly clear!”
    “How? When?”
    “When you set me up to sleep in the mistress’s rooms!”
    Steele blinked. “You think…You think that your job requires…that you…service me?” His face was incredulous.
    Abigail lifted her chin. “When I challenged Carlton about the sleeping arrangements, he said…that it was my duty to sleep in the mistress’s chamber and that my duties weren’t necessarily what I’d signed on for. No matter how odd or unorthodox .”
    Steele stilled. “Did he say that you are supposed to sleep with me?” Anger so cold infused his face that Abigail realized he’d barely been vexed before.
    Straightening, Abigail opened her mouth and then closed it as doubt slithered across her mind. “Well, no. But he did say that I was subject to your whims and that you specifically wanted me within arm’s reach.”
    “That’s very different from a demand that you bed me.”
    Even though it was starting to sound a little ridiculous even to her ears, Abigail protested, “But he also said that I had better learn to accept that what you want you get. And that…and that you wanted me to sleep near you.”
    His features relaxed. Shaking his head, he chuckled. “No wonder you’re so upset.”
    “So you didn’t want me to sleep in the mistress’s chambers?”
    Laughing, he waved a hand. “Oh no, I do want you to. But not for the reasons you think. Certainly not to…‘service your liege lord.’” He shook his head.
    Crossing her arms, Abigail was starting to feel more than a bit foolish. But Carlton had made it seem so…
    Carlton clearly hated children, and his duties had changed because his employer had said so. And with the first footman ill, he’d been forced to take on those duties as well. Carlton was talking about himself, not Abigail sleeping with her employer! Abigail slapped her hand over her mouth as mortification washed over her.
    “Bedding me as a job requirement!” Pressing his palm to his middle, Steele chuckled.
    “It’s not that funny,” Abigail muttered, embarrassed.
    “I know, I know,” Laughing, he shook his head. “I just can’t…seem to stop…laughing!”
    Abigail realized she was having difficulty keeping a straight face. His hilarity was so joyful and sincere that she was finding it hard not to join in.
    A little chuckle escaped her lips. She pressed her hand to her mouth to catch it.
    Their eyes met, and amusement sparked between them.
    Grinning sheepishly, she shook her head. “I’m a dolt.”
    “No, no, anyone…” He waved a hand, trying to keep his face sincere. “Anyone might think that…there’s a reason I…pay…so well…for active duty!” He laughed out loud.
    Something wild loosened inside her and she giggled.
    “What do you suppose I’d give for a Christmas bonus?” He chortled.
    Laying her hand on his arm, she cried, “Or for my pension!”
    Abigail’s cheeks ached, as they’d been unused to smiling for so long. She blinked, realizing that her eyes were teary, for the first time in ages with joy, not sorrow.
    His eyes met hers, his look piercing through the protective armor she used to shield herself from the world, and warming her in a place that had known only cold for a very long time. It felt good. Warm, happy. Yet at the same time, disconcerting.
    Suddenly she realized that her hand was on his arm. Quickly she removed it, hoping that he had not noticed.
    Abigail inhaled a shaky breath and looked around. They stood in the quiet, moonlit park, alone, save for the owl hooting in the trees. Looking down, she adjusted her gown and peered at Steele through her lashes. She was glaringly conscious of how handsome and appealing the man was. And how boldly she’d just spoken about bedding him.
    Abigail’s cheeks flamed with heat, her blush spreading from her hairline to her toes.
    “Ahhh,”