Page 49 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“I’m n-not either.” Charles nodded with a grin. “I-I like to p-play outside.”
“Me too,” Bella chirped.
Wyatt reached down and cupped Bella’s chin for a brief moment. “Good.” He then gave a couple of pats to the top of Charles’ shoulder.
Wyatt looked at the governess. “Miss Litchfield, before you dress the children for outside, I want you to wait for Burns. I’m going to send him up to help you and the children decide which room will be suitable for your lessons each day. Give him a detailed list of any supplies or books you might need for their instructions. Let the children pick out anything special they might want.”
“I like to paint,” Bella said.
Wyatt chuckled. “I’m sure paints and brushes can be arranged.”
Miss Litchfield seemed reluctant to move and looked at Fredericka for confirmation to do as the duke instructed. Fredericka nodded, and the governess left with Bella and Charles.
“Auntie,” Elise said, looking up at her with big blue eyes. “I want to help pick out the classroom. May I go up?”
A prick of hopefulness nicked Fredericka. “Yes, of course. If you’re sure you want to.”
“I do. Bella and Charles will need my help. It’s difficult for them to make up their minds about anything.”She reached up and kissed Fredericka’s cheek and off she ran.
Fredericka regarded Wyatt with calm. “I should have never started arguing with you in front of them. I don’t even know how it got started.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “A healthy disagreement between people is good from time to time, my father used to say. It helps to clear the air. I think it will benefit the children to know that a man and woman can disagree without the argument ending in someone being abused.”
“Yes. They do need to know that.”
Wyatt took a patient step closer to her. “This entire incident happened because I didn’t stop to think about what the children needed while they are here. I’m going to take care of this now. Burns!” Wyatt called.
Fredericka swallowed a morsel of guilt too. She bore some of the responsibility for their quarrel. She should have asked about a study room yesterday, and probably would have if she hadn’t kept thinking the duke was going to talk to the Lord Chancellor and settle the matter with her cousin. Fredericka fully expected to be in a coach on the way to Paddleton today.
“I should have had this done right after we married,” Wyatt went on. “I knew the children would be coming to London at some point. I should have prepared for them, and you. I’ll get it done.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the butler said, quietly coming into the drawing room.
“The children need a room where they can have their lessons each day. Show them all the available areas. And a place to play as well. Talk to Miss Litchfield and get whatever she needs. Pencils, paper, chalk and boards, desks, paints. It doesn’t matter. Get all she asks for.”
“I’ll see to it,” the butler said with a nod.
“Miss Litchfield is up with the children waiting for you,” Wyatt continued his instructions. “Let them decide which room is best for their needs. I want everything in place and ready for them by tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The door knocker sounded as Burns started to leave, and he turned back to look at Wyatt as if waiting for direction.
Wyatt nodded. “See who’s at the door before you go up.”
Fredericka started to leave too. “Not you,” he said firmly. “You and I aren’t finished.”
“Splendid,” she answered in the same tone. Fredericka gathered her courage for another round with the duke. “Since arguments are healthy, let’s have another one.”
Her comment caused a low, husky chuckle in his throat. It was attractive, inviting, and completely disintegrated her building antagonism. The atmosphere around them changed. As if by a magical force, his features softened. She knew he felt the shift in emotion between them too. His expression turned endearing. Slow, comforting heat started covering her body. He flashed a mischievous smile, and she saw the enticing man who had kissed her so passionately and intimately last evening that she’d remember the effects of it for the rest of her life.
Did the dreamy look in his eyes mean he was thinking about their kisses too?
Fredericka heard masculine voices coming from the entryway, and the moment passed.
Wyatt swore under his breath. She took that as a sign he had visitors he needed to see. Good. She’d happily put off another argument.
Burns appeared in the doorway and said, “It’s theDuke of Hurstbourne and the Duke of Stonerick, Your Grace.”
