It had been months since he’d had any inclination for it, but he was suddenly ravenous. He spat upon his hand and stroked himself vigorously, trying to block any more lascivious thoughts of Miss Pringle. She was a lady and did not deserve to be the subject of his lechery, but those alluring breasts refused to be ignored, and he found his fevered brain wondering next what they might taste like, and how much of each one he could fit in his mouth. From there it was a simple slide to imaging what her reaction to such treatment might be, and in seconds flat he was spurting his seed all over his belly in a blissful, heated rush.
Getting his breath back, he lay spent while the tingles of desire slowly faded from his limbs, and he wondered why his fancy had led him to fantasize about the prim and proper governess over any other female of his acquaintance. It was a revelation to him that a pair of breasts could provoke such a reaction in him. Did he have a taste for well-endowed ladies then?
Given that he had been married since he was twenty-two, he actually had no idea what his taste was. He’d been hopelessly in love with his beautiful wife Caroline for the entirety of his marriage and never thought of another woman. He could see no parallels between Caro and Miss Pringle—no two women could be more different at a glance. Caro had been tiny, ethereal even, like a fairy princess. If there were any similarities to be found, a closer fit would be to Ava who was also small of stature,though more sturdy and shapely of build than Caro. But it wasn’t Ava who had inspired his first stirrings of desire. It was unequivocally the governess.
He shrugged at the mystery of it and rolled onto his side, closing his eyes. As a youth and young man before his marriage, he’d had sudden urges and fantasies about random women, but it hadn’t meant anything. No doubt this was the same.
Yet as he drifted into sleep it occurred to him that, enjoyable as it was to look upon her beautiful shape, it was Miss Pringle’s undoubted mothering skills that he was truly drawn to. The picture of little Ewen’s arms round her neck made him smile.
Chapter Six
Annis woke thenext morning to a knock on her door, which was unusual. She sat up, pushing her cap to the back of her head, and called out, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Heather and Ingrid entered dressed only in their robes with their hands behind their backs.
“Happy birthday, Miss Pringle!” said Ingrid grinning from ear to ear. She rushed toward the bed with her hands now held out, holding a small, wrapped box. Heather, a little more sedate, followed her.
“Happy birthday,” she said softly, also holding out a smaller package.
“Oh, girls!” Annis said with a smile, quite overcome.
Ingrid climbed onto the bed. “Go on—open it!”
Annis looked at the box in her lap as Heather sat down on the edge of the bed, one leg crooked up.
Undoing the ribbon, the cloth it was wrapped in fell away to reveal a small, carved wooden box.
“I bought it with my allowance, just for you!” said Ingrid. “Do you like it? It will hold your fripperies, ribbons, pins, and such.”
“Oh, Ingrid, it’s lovely! Thank you!” Annis hugged the girl, who grinned with delight and bounced on the bed.
“Now Heather’s!” she insisted.
Annis took Heather’s smaller package and unwrapped it to reveal a small square box. Opening the lid, she found anexquisite butterfly pin inside. The wings were done in a vivid turquoise enamel. “Heather, that is lovely!” she said, blinking back tears. She hugged Heather who blushed, pleased that her present was appreciated.
“Sarah has organized a luncheon on the south lawn for your birthday!” said Ingrid in a rush.
“Ingrid, that is supposed to be a secret!” admonished Heather.
“I don’t believe in secrets,” said Ingrid with a toss of her head. “It is much better to know about a treat beforehand and be able to anticipate it. That ismuchmore fun!”
Annis smiled at Ingrid’s point of view; she had something there. Annis preferred not to be surprised either, but mostly because for her, surprises were usually unpleasant.
“And,” said Ingrid, “the best part is that Robert says there are to be no lessons today because it’s your birthday and you shouldn’t have to work on your birthday!” She bounced some more. “Yay, no mathematics today!”
Annis laughed and shooed the girls out so that she could dress. The Laynes always made a fuss of birthdays. It was one of the perquisites of working here. All the staff were recognized on their birthdays and given the day off.
Arriving downstairs for breakfast, she was met with a barrage of happy birthday wishes, from staff and family alike. Given the place of honor at the breakfast table and served by the duchess herself, Annis’s cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment to be the center of attention. The viscount ambled in, in the middle of all this, looking his usual rumpled self. Apprised of the occasion, he kissed her hand with a flourish.
“Happy birthday, Miss Pringle, and may you have many, many more!” His green eyes twinkled at her, and the expression sent a warm wave through her chest.Really, she liked theviscount far too much!She wished he was less charming; it wasn’t good for her pulse.
“We have organized a croquet match, followed by luncheon on the south lawn,” announced the duke. “It is in your honor, Miss Pringle, and you are to do nothing but enjoy yourself.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” she said with a smile. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You are very welcome, Miss Pringle. We value your contribution to the household. You must know that. How long have you been with us now? Six years?”
She nodded. “Yes, it will be six years in September,” she said tucking into her eggs and ham.
