Page 39 of Last Night with the Duke
Esmeralda’s mind was a blur of many thoughts, her body a mixture of emotions out of control. One word from the duke, and Mr. Fortescue wouldn’t let her continue managing the employment agency. She and Josephine would have to leave the building, and they didn’t have anywhere else to go.
She remained stiff and solemn as the doorway cleared and the house fell silent after the footsteps faded and the doors were shut. Bracing herself for the words she knew were coming, she lowered her chin and moistened her dry lips. The only good thing was that she hadn’t had time to unpack, so they could leave quickly.
When she was brave enough to shift her gaze to the duke, he was smiling.
Her world had been turned upside down and he was smiling?
She felt as if her heart sank to her feet and filled them with lead. He was going to enjoy throwing them out! Oh, why had things gone so horribly wrong?
“That cat gave Napoleon quite the chase,” he said
Her chest was too heavy to move. Her stomach jumped so fast she could hardly breathe as a lump of cold emotion settled thickly in her throat, making her “What?” sound more like a croak.
He chuckled. “That was the most excitement I’ve seen around this house in years.”
Was he laughing? Perhaps she could find amusement in the dog chasing the cat if not for the fact she didn’t want to lose this position. Didn’t he know how much this meant to her?
She tried to keep her upper lip stiff as she said, “I don’t find this comical, Your Grace.”
His expression challenged her. “You don’t?”
“No,” she said softly.
“Not after we knew it wasn’t your sister tumbling down the stairs? I admit that gave me cause for alarm too.”
Regret consumed her. Unable to give a verbal response, she shook her head.
“How about when all three of us were trying to get through the doorway at the same time. Surely, you think that was a little amusing, don’t you? I do believe your hand hit me in the face twice and Josephine elbowed me in the ribs and stepped on my foot.”
He was doing a good job of trying to make her feel better, but Esmeralda was in no mood to stay around and have him beguile her with all he found delightful about the incident.
“I’ll gather our things together and we’ll leave as soon as possible.”
“What?” He walked over to her. The smile faded from his expression. “Leave? What do you mean? After all I had to promise you in order to talk you into taking this position? Now that you are finally here, do you really think I’m going to let you leave?”
They stood toe-to-toe. His gaze penetrated hers. “I didn’t think you would want me to stay now.”
“Why?” Fierce concentration settled on his face. “Because in the heat of the moment we raised our voices to each other?”
“No, not just that,” she declared. “I understand that the tension of the incident got to both of us. Look.” She pointed to the urn. “Napoleon broke a table, a vase and a figurine, in case you don’t remember. I can’t possibly pay for those things.”
His features softened. “You won’t be asked to. Neither were prized possessions or held great value. How many more times are you going to try to get out of working for me?”
Through a catch in her breath, she managed to say, “You mean you really want me to stay? I mean, all three of us? You’re not going to throw us out?”
He ran an open hand through his hair and shook his head. “Throw you out? Did you really think I would do that?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to have to change your opinion of me, Miss Swift.” His voice was soft, soothing. “I wantyouto watch over my sisters. I don’t know how I can make that any clearer to you.”
“What if Napoleon breaks something else?”
His gleaming blue eyes held steady on hers. “What if he does?”
Her skin peppered with goose bumps at his intense gaze, at his closeness. It truly didn’t seem fair that she was so susceptible to his nearness, to his very presence.
The duke placed his fingertips under her chin, nudging it upward. A thrill of something, which could only be described as feeling like a lightning strike, bolted through her, heated her with a shocking, shimmering, delicious warmth.
