“With all due respect, Your Grace, you have no idea how much of your time would be taken up by taking care of such a…tenderchild all on your own. They are hard work and require far more attention than you can spare,” the nurse said. “Furthermore, it was His Grace who hired me, and it must be His Grace who dismisses me.”
It was obvious to Caroline that the woman was straining to be polite, which only confirmed her decision to release her.
“Well,respectfully, you have no idea what I am capable of. Nor this wonderful little boy, for that matter. He and I will be fine on our own, and even if we are not, he is no longer your concern. As for His Grace, he has given the full responsibility of this boy’s care over to me. So if I say you are not required, then he will acquiesce to my request. However, if you need to hear it from him, I am sure that he will agree when you go to collect your last payment.”
A coolness seemed to settle into the air as the nurse stood stark still for a long moment, refusing to blink or look away from Caroline. Caroline, however, was used to such ice. So even though she felt the phantom fear she once felt when Agatha looked at her in such a way, she settled into her posture of power and waited.
“What is this?”
Caroline heard Damien’s deep voice break the silence, and despite how they had left things on their wedding day, she felt a shimmer of relief pass through her rigid body at the sound of it.
At once, the nurse bowed her head and stepped to the side, making way for Damien as his powerful strides carried him silently into the room. George let out a stuttered breath as he saw him, and once more, his body went stock still in his little chair. Caroline did her best to give the boy a calming smile before turning to Damien, but as she did so, she felt her heart begin to race.
Though they had lived in the same house for four days, it was the first time she had seen him since their wedding day, and thetense discussion about her future and George. The same careful, intense gaze, sizzling with rage, met her now, and she was unsure if it was directed at her or the nurse.
It does not matter if it is for me,she told herself, willing her shaking to stop.He put me in charge of this boy’s care, and that is what I will do. Care for him.
“Your Grace, after spending these last few delightful days with Georgie, I have decided that the nurse’s assistance is no longer necessary,” Caroline stated, her calm tone surprising even herself.
“I see,” Damien said after a quiet moment.
He tucked his large hands into his pockets and turned his intense gaze to the nurse.
“And you are questioning this decision?” he asked her.
A visible shudder passed through the nurse as her eyes widened.
“Your Grace, while Her Grace might feel as if her heart is in a good place, she is not aware yet of how obstinate this boy can be.”
Damien’s dark brows perked, and if Caroline did not know better, she would have thought he was amused by the ordeal.
“Ah. And you? You know of Her Grace’s heart? You believe it to be so shallow that she will need help?” he asked. His deep voice implied that he was calm, but Caroline felt wariness seep into her stomach, tightening it into knots.
“Your Grace,” Caroline said quietly, “I am sure she did not mean—”
“Let her answer,” Damien said calmly, cutting her off as his gaze remained fixed on the nurse.
Caroline flicked her gaze to the nurse, feeling pity for the woman as her face shifted from pale to red.
“Of course I would not make such assumptions about Her Grace,” the nurse hoarsely replied. “However, you did hire me to care for the boy.”
“And now Her Grace is here to take care of the boy,” he quickly answered. “And if she believes your services are no longer required, then your services are no longer required. I believe you have met my housekeeper, Mrs. McClain. Go see her. She will give you your last pay and a letter of recommendation.”
That was it. With no arguing or fuss, Damien dismissed the nurse. Caroline was not sure if the woman understood that there was no reason to fight his command—or if she was too afraid to do so. Either way, she drew in a stuttered breath, bowed to him, and hurried from the room without another word.
Caroline stared after her for a long moment, spellbound over what had just happened. She had always assumed that Damien got his way over large displays of his rage or threats, but he had been so calm with the nurse’s dismissal.
Damien waited for several seconds after the nurse left. Then he turned back to Caroline. He gave her a silent nod, his amber eyes not quite meeting hers, and then turned to George. The boy began to tremble in his chair as he stared up at the giant man with wide-eyed, apparent fear.
“George, do not be afraid,” Caroline soothed, walking over to him. She stood behind his chair and slipped her hands over his thin shoulders, and was relieved when his trembling stoppedalmost immediately.
“Have a pleasant evening,” Damien’s deep voice rumbled as he tore his gaze away from the child.
“Wait,” Caroline found herself saying.
Her single word seemed to shock all three of them, for as she wondered why she said it, both Damien and George turned to her with a curious look.
Her heart quivered again as his deep, soulful amber eyes found hers.
