Something Scandalous by Christie Kelley Read Free Book Online Page B

them and overhear their conversation; she walked to the door and closed it.
    “Is there a problem with the children? Did Ethan put a frog in your bed?”
    “No,” she exclaimed. “Would he do such a thing?”
    William shrugged. “More likely to one of his sisters than you.”
    Now she needed to remember to check her bed every night. Sitting in the chair again, she said, “It is their manners. And their clothes. And their education. And—”
    “There is nothing wrong with those children.”
    Oh, dear, she’d raised his anger. “Not entirely. But there is room for improvement. Children always need guidance, and to learn from adults.”
    He rose and paced by the fireplace. “It certainly isn’t the boys’ fault that their mother died when Sarah was three. Nor is it their fault that my father neglected them after their mother’s death.”
    “Of course not,” she whispered. Her heart went out to him and his siblings. “It must have been very hard on all of you when she died.”
    “My father’s health declined shortly after my stepmother’s death. Personally, I think after he lost my mother and then my stepmother, he wanted to be done with life. He’d loved them both so much.”
    “I am sorry,” Elizabeth whispered.
    “The last two years of his life were spent mostly in bed. I suggested we return to England to get better care for him, but he refused.” He glanced away. “He wanted to die near his wives. After he died, I took over the care of the children, with Alicia’s help.”
    “It must have been very difficult.”
    “I did my best,” he muttered.
    “I am certain you did,” she replied gently.
    She stood and placed her hand on his arm. Ignoring the sensation of touching him, she added, “But now you are in London and no matter how much you might not want to be, you are the duke. Even if you only stay a few months, Lucy and Ellie need proper clothing so they are not confined to the house all the time. They all need to learn better table manners, especially the boys. They were chewing with their mouths open at the dinner table.”
    “I suppose they could use some assistance.” He stared down at her hand on his forearm.
    Elizabeth knew she should remove her hand, but remembering Sophie’s advice, she squeezed his arm instead. With what she hoped was a flirtatious smile, she said, “I can help you.”
    His brown eyes darkened. “Oh?”
    “I can assist you so you are ready to face Society, too. You need a valet to cut your hair.” Slowly, she reached up and touched the dark strands. His hair felt coarse to her fingertips but she loved the sensation. She’d never felt so bold in her life.
    He reached for her wrist and held it tight. “Elizabeth, I am practically engaged.”
    Oh, God, he must think she was nothing but a strumpet. “I’m sorry,” she said, pulling both her hands away. “I didn’t mean anything by…”
    He turned to face her fully, and gently clasped her shoulders. “Perhaps if I wasn’t almost engaged…”
    “No, I truly meant nothing,” she said, disconcerted at being caught flirting with him, and more disturbed by the feelings of his hands on her shoulders. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought for some semblance of sanity.
    No matter how she tried, she couldn’t look away from him. Why did she have to be attracted to him?
    He shook his head slightly and removed his hands from her. “Elizabeth, what do you think I should do about the children?” he asked in a strangely hoarse voice.
    Elizabeth moved back to her seat and sipped her sherry. “I can assist you so they get the proper clothing and education they need while here. But…”
    “But what?”
    She stared down at her hands and said, “I would need to stay here to show them a proper example.”
    Will sat down in his seat with a smile. Now he understood exactly what she had been up to with her contagious flirting. She wanted to stay in the house. An idea that made him cringe, and yet warmed him at