Page 13 of Brazen Rogue
Reign frowned after Mrs. Watkins, knowing all too well what she had done to the woman, not that it was her shortcoming. "I think she believes I'm going to try to win the heart of the marquess," she blurted to the cook, unable to hide her thoughts a moment longer.
The cook whistled, studying her in a new light. "And are you, lass? You're certainly pretty enough to turn any man’s head. Why even young Marcus in the stables had mentioned how pretty and sharp you are."
Reign smiled, but she did not need those kinds of compliments. It was one of the reasons why the housekeeper refused to be friendly. "I'm saving all the money I can so I may leave England. It has not been kind to me these past several years and I need a fresh start. Nothing is keeping me here in England, and no marquess wishes to marry me. I do not know why Mrs. Watkins has to be so unkind. How am I to stay in my room during the day when I have my free time? I shall like to stroll outside, but am I not allowed? I will be housebound for a week, and that in itself is unbearable."
"Of course you can stroll, Miss Hall. Do not heed what the housekeeper states. She is not the boss of you, not really," the cook said, picking up a spoon to stir a large bowl of soup. "His lordship is since you are his daughter's governess."
Reign sighed, taking her cup to the sink and rinsing it. She did not want to cause trouble or concern for the housekeeper. "I suppose it is only a week. I shall survive being in my room for a little while. I will ask his lordship for more books to keep me occupied."
The cook shrugged but glanced at her, disappointment shining in her weary eyes. "As you wish, Miss Hall, but I know for certain that I should not be locking myself away just to please Mrs. Watkins. Why she ought to be ashamed of herself for even suggesting such a thing to you."
"I'm new here. I do not want to cause trouble." She laid her cup on the drying rack. "I shall see you tomorrow at breakfast," she said, starting upstairs.
The house was eerily quiet after a day of nothing but noise as she climbed the stairs. Without thinking, she exited on the floor that once housed her room. She hesitated in the center of the passageway before turning on her heel and starting for the staircase again.
"Miss Hall?" a familiar, deep baritone said from the direction of the stairs.
Reign cringed, not wishing to meet his lordship alone and practically in the dark. She schooled her features and turned. The moment she did, she wished she had not.
Lord Lupton-Gage was not properly attired. His cravat hung about his neck, his shirt pulled free from his breeches, and he wore no shoes.
Possibly the reason she had not heard him before he spoke.
"My lord," she said, clasping her hands before her and praying for strength. For all of Mrs. Watkins rules and management, there was a grain of truth to her concerns.
Reign and the marquess had a history, and the last thing she needed to do was to repeat that narrative. But seeing him now, dressed as he was, disheveled and as handsome as ever, well, keeping from seducing the man would be a triumph in which she must succeed.
Upon seeing her in the passage, Bellamy had taken a moment to drink in the sight of Reign. Would it always be like this, he wondered. This craving to be with her, to kiss her sweet lips, if even for one more delicious time.
He strolled up to Miss Hall and frowned. "Have you forgotten something downstairs? Why were you heading back toward the servants’ stairs?" he asked, looking past her to see if someone else was lurking in the shadows of his home. A manservant, perhaps, wanting to court Miss Hall.
He pushed the thought out of his mind. Even if that were true, none of those particulars were his business. Not unless they married or his daughter's governess became pregnant.
He ground his teeth, an uncomfortable sensation running down his spine at that offensive thought.
"I forgot where my room was, my lord. I apologize and bid you goodnight," she said, turning on her heel to flee from his presence.
Without thought, he reached out and clasped her hand, pulling her to stop. "Miss Hall, you sleep on this floor beside my daughter's room. What are you talking about?" he asked.
She bit her lip, a frown marring her normally perfect brow. "Well, as to that," she hedged, looking around as if someone could be listening in on their conversation. "I've moved, my lord. I thought it best considering the house party. May I speak frankly?" she asked him.
He nodded, needing to hear what she had to say. "Of course."
"Well," she paused, "servants are normally either below stairs or above the family's rooms. It was not right for me to be on this level, and I have since moved upstairs. But I can assure you that I shall not shirk my duties. Lady Alice will have the continued care and lessons we have had so far, my lord."
Bellamy shook his head. The notion that she had moved due to discomfort did not sit well with him. "I hope it has nothing to do with our conversation the other evening, Miss Hall. I did not mean to make you feel unwelcome. I just thought we needed to discuss the matter before too many weeks passed with you working here," he said.
"No, nothing of the kind," she assured him, waving his concerns aside. "It is for the best, which I'm sure you agree."
Bellamy was not so sure about that fact. He appreciated that she was close to his daughter's room in case of an emergency. Not to mention he liked that she was close to him.
He shook the thought aside. She was not for him. He had told her so himself. He could not keep torturing himself back and forth as to why he did not care that she was a governess. He must think of his daughter in this regard.
He ran a hand over his jaw, debating the matter and wondering if Mrs. Watkins had something to do with Reign's move. The housekeeper did not seem overly warm to her, and if her obvious dislike continued, he would be forced to say something.
"Very well," he conceded. If she truly thought it acceptable, then he would not stop her. It was probably for the best in any case since he had a terribly hard time concentrating on anything when Miss Hall was near. Sleeping included.
"The house looks marvelous for the guests, my lord. They start to arrive tomorrow, I understand?" She pulled her arm out of his hold, which to his horror, he still held.
