“There is one condition that is not open to negotiation,” he added, each word clear and deliberate. “Everything you witnessed tonight—the auction, my ownership of the Nightingale, all of it—stays in this room. No one is to know anything about it.”
She held his gaze without flinching. “I understand,” she said, her chin level. “Your secret is safe with me, Your Grace.”
For a moment, his eyes searched hers for any sign of hesitation but found none. Then, he straightened.
She was either very good at lying or remarkably genuine. Either way, he had made his choice. Now he would have to live with the consequences.
He moved to the door, unlocking it with a turn of the key, and stepped into the corridor where the same burly men from earlier stood waiting, their postures alert and professional.
“Bring my sister back,” he instructed. “We’ll be leaving shortly.”
Davies nodded and moved off down the corridor, his footsteps fading as he turned the corner.
Hudson stepped back into the office, leaving the door open, a small gesture of trust that felt both necessary and dangerous.
Miss Augusta Booth stood exactly where he’d left her, her eyes now fixed on the dying embers in the grate, her profile silhouetted against the fading glow.
She was beautiful; there was no denying it. Tall and lean, with gentle curves beneath her modest dress. Her dark hair seemed to be alive in the soft candlelight of the room. He avoided the blue of her eyes, and his own eyes landed on the shape of her lips. It made his heart beat in a way that had nothing to do with the bargain they’d just struck and everything to do with the inconvenient fact that she would be living under his roof, in his employ, with his sister.
Hudson cleared his throat. “My sister will be here shortly. I think it best if she believes your employment was arranged through more conventional means.”
Augusta turned, her eyebrow lifting slightly. “Conventional means,” she repeated. “Such as?”
“Such as an introduction through a friend,” Hudson said. “Which, in a manner of speaking, it was. Joseph—the man who bid on you—is a trusted employee. And you will be using a different surname. I thought Miss Norton might serve.”
“Miss Norton,” Augusta said, testing out the name. She gave a small nod. “It will do.”
“You’ll need to answer to it,” Hudson continued. “To Cassie, to the servants, to anyone who asks. Your history is your own—Iwon’t pry—but your presence in my household needs a simple explanation.”
“The truth, but adapted,” Augusta said, her mouth curving in what might have been a smile. “I understand the concept, Your Grace.”
The title, in her mouth, sounded like both respect and subtle mockery. Hudson found himself oddly charmed by it.
“Just so,” he said.
Footsteps sounded in the corridor. They were lighter than his employees’, with the distinctive skip and pause of a child trying very hard to appear contrite.
Hudson turned to the doorway, bracing himself for whatever expression Cassie had decided would best convey her remorse.
She was escorted back into the office by Davies, her eyes bright with what Hudson recognized, with a sinking feeling, as excitement rather than remorse.
“Thank you,” he said, nodding to Davies, who withdrew with a respectful dip of his head.
The door closed, leaving the three of them alone, Hudson behind his desk, Miss Booth a few feet away, and Cassie between them, vibrating with barely contained energy.
“Cassie,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “This is Miss Augusta Norton. She will be your governess from now on.”
Cassie’s eyes widened. She looked at Augusta, then back at Hudson, her expression shifting from surprise to delight in the space of a heartbeat.
“Really?” she gushed, the word bursting from her. “Today? Now?”
“Tonight, actually,” Hudson said, the corner of his mouth quirking despite his attempt to remain stern. “It’s well past midnight.”
Instead of responding, Cassie’s face split into a wide grin. She launched herself across the office with the unself-conscious enthusiasm only children could manage, wrapping both arms around Augusta’s waist and burying her face against the woman’s midsection.
Augusta stood perfectly still for a moment, clearly startled by the sudden physical contact. Then, slowly, her arms came up to encircle Cassie’s shoulders.
Hudson watched, something in his chest loosening at the sight of his sister, normally so guarded with strangers, pressing herself against Augusta with complete trust.
