Page 15 of Caught by the Forbidden Duke
“Pianos give me splitting headaches,” he said. “The sound is—” He stopped. “It is simply easier for everyone if the lessons are conducted in Fairmont House. It’s only next door, and he’s already been there once.”
The answer came out clipped, and Annabelle noticed that he wasn’t precisely looking at her as he delivered it.
Hm. There is considerably more to it than splitting headaches.
She looked at the door. She looked back at him.
She let it stand. Some things arrived in their own time, and it was past midnight, and the man had spent a good part of the evening worrying about his nephew. Whatever his problem with pianos was, it was not a thing he was prepared to offer tonight.
“Fairmont House it is, then,” she said.
He nodded once. “I’ll bring James tomorrow at ten.”
“Ten suits.”
“Good night, Lady Annabelle.”
“Good night, Your Grace.”
With that, she turned and exited Silverford House, wondering far more about the Duke than she’d ever had before.
The Duke arrived at ten with James at his side and Miss Hartley two steps behind. Annabelle had just come downstairs when thedoor opened, and she noted that James was wearing a freshly pressed coat and a rather severe expression, too old for a child.
Soon after her, Helena’s mother descended the stairs with letters in hand and her reading glasses pushed up her nose, glanced at the entry hall, and stopped. Lady Rosenhall looked at the Duke. She looked at James. She looked at Miss Hartley. She looked at Annabelle.
“Annabelle,” she said. “What is this?”
“Good morning, Lady Rosenhall.” Annabelle stepped forward before the question could gather any further momentum. “You remember the Duke of Silverford.”
“I remember him perfectly.” She came down the remaining steps. “And this young man?”
“Lord James Barrow,” Dominic said. “My nephew. Lady Annabelle has kindly agreed to give him piano lessons. He is a reserved boy, and he settled well with her when they met. Placing him with a new teacher in an unfamiliar house would not have suited him.”
“He is a lovely child,” Annabelle added, which was entirely true regardless. “I was glad to offer. I enjoy teaching.”
Lady Rosenhall studied James, who was studying the floor as though he were conducting a private inspection of thefloorboards. She turned her attention to Miss Hartley and considered her with considerably warmer regard.
“The governess will remain throughout the lesson?” she said.
“She will,” Dominic said.
The older lady paused. “It is unusual,” Lady Rosenhall said at last with a measured kind of resignation. “However, if the boy’s governess is present, it is not beyond the bounds of propriety.” She looked at Dominic with clear, unhurried regard. “I trust, Your Grace, that this household’s reputation will be treated accordingly. The Duke of Fairmont has placed me in his home as Lady Annabelle’s chaperone for the Season, and I take this role very seriously.”
“I understand, my lady. You have my word,” he said.
She received this with the intent to hold him to it, and withdrew.
Dominic looked down at James. “You’ll be good.” His nephew nodded at his boots.
“James.” He waited, and the boy finally looked up. “You’ll be good.”
“Yes,” James said, but the word was very small.
Dominic glanced at Annabelle and said, “I’ll return at noon.”
“Noon,” she confirmed.
Then he left, and the door closed behind him. James watched the spot where he had been for a moment, then turned to Annabelle.
