Page 54 of The Governess’s Carnal Temptation

“Not even that,” he confirmed with a smile of relief. “Thanks to you. You were so brave, so quick-witted. If not for you, she might have drowned.”

“I only did what I had to,” she breathed.

“But it’s true. The ice was breaking already and couldn’t carry more weight. You knew that. You sent us back and thus saved us all. I know you don’t accept praise, but you ought in his case. You’re wonderful, Lydia.”

His words both touched and alarmed her. For the past few weeks, they had been on eggshells around one another. Lady Evelyn’s callous words stuck with Lydia whenever she saw Nicholas. She was his past. Lady Evelyn was his future. But if that was so, then why had he kissed her face? Why was he holding her hand?

Lydia’s head pounded, and she took a deep breath. The air smelled of sweet cedar from the fire that crackled in the fireplace. It was soothing, and combined with Nicholas’ tenderness, she almost didn’t want to ask him any questions or think of anything else. She wanted only to be with him. She wanted to pretend the last few months hadn’t happened and Lady Evelyn did not exist.

Alas, she knew she could not. Pretending had never done her any favors. She’d pretended to believe him when he told her he’d return, pretended she didn’t love him, and now she wanted to pretend that nothing outside his room was real. It wouldn’t work.

“Nicholas, what happened? Can you tell me? I recall the ice giving way and falling into the water. Darkness, cold....” she blinked and settled her eyes on his, seeing her reflection in his eyes. She looked small, helpless, almost childlike. “I heard my mother calling to me.”

His Adam’s apple bopped, and his jaw clenched. “I knew you were close to death, but I did not know it was that close.”

“I think she came to take me to heaven,” Lydia said suddenly.

“I think so. I saw you go under. After you slipped beneath the water, I went out to get you, but you’d been carried away from the hole in the lake. I wiped away the snow and saw you. You were pounding against the ice, but it was too thick to break because you’d drifted toward the edge where it was more stable. Then you were gone. Just... gone.”

His voice was thick with suppressed emotion, and his grip on her tightened. “I pounded against the ice with my fists until I managed to break it enough. I dove in, but it was so dark I couldn’t see you. I grasped for you, and through some miracle I cannot explain, I got hold of your hand and pulled you up. You were unconscious already.”

Lydia’s lips parted. Listening to him was oddly like reading a story from one of her beloved books. A tale that had happened to someone else.

“I remember nothing of it. I...” she frowned as snippets of memory came back to her. “I saw stars. Not the way you do when you fall and bump your head, but real stars. I felt like I was floating surrounded by a sea of them. That’s all I remember.”

He wetted his lips and looked down at his hands. It was only at that moment that Lydia saw the evidence of his story. His knuckles were scraped to the bone, and scratches covered the back of his hands. She sucked in air through her teeth and lifted his hands to her mouth, kissing them without thinking.

“You tore through the ice to get me?”

“Of course. I had to save you. I couldn’t let you die when you’d been so brave to rescue my daughter,” he paused as she lowered his hands. “Lydia, I was foolish.” he placed a hand on her face again. “I thought only of you; I didn’t even feel the pain.”

“Oh, Nicholas,” she said, her tone infused with longing. She allowed her eyes to close as his face neared hers. The sweet peppermint aroma wafted closer, and she felt his breath brush against her skin again. Her entire body tensed, knowing she would feel his lips on hers again in a moment, and she allowed herself to lean toward him.

“Lydia,” he murmured as his lips brushed gently against hers and

“Miss Haddington!” Charlotte’s voice ripped apart their moment, and a flicker of irritation rose in her stomach, but then the little girl clambered onto the bed and dissolved into tears. “Oh, Miss Haddington, I was so scared. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall in. It wasn’t a prank, I promise.”

The flash of annoyance vanished as quickly as it had come, and she wrapped the child in her arms.

“I know, Charlotte. I know it wasn’t your fault. I had an accident, an awful accident, but we all made it through. We’re all here.” The girls’ tears streamed down Lydia’s neck, hot against her now cool skin, and she ran her hand through her hair to soothe her. Nicholas looked at them with a blissful expression, but the magical moment had been broken. They might sit together as though they were a family united, but she knew the truth was different.

He was all but betrothed; Charlotte would have a stepmother who’d raise her to be a lady who could make a good match. Nicholas would rise through the ranks and finally achieve what he’d always wanted. And Lydia? She’d stay here as long as possible and do her best by Charlotte while keeping out of Lady Evelyn’s way.

But the lady had made it clear. She saw her as a rival, and as a governess, Lydia was no match for her. Once she was the Duchess of Queensberry, Lady Evelyn would see to it that she was gone and she’d have no choice but to return home to her ill father and overworked sister with a tail between her legs, and her heart ripped from her chest twice over.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Nicholas shifted when a cold breeze rushed over his hot skin, followed by the unmistakable scent of jasmine that always accompanied Lydia. He smiled and rolled on his side when she came into view, and his breath caught in his throat.

“Lydia,” he gasped as he took her in. She stood before him at the door to his chamber stark naked save for a silk scarf she’d wrapped around her body to allow only hints of her enviable shape. Her skin was alabaster white, and her red hair popped brightly as it cascaded down her back. She blinked, her jade eyes wide and full of love and lust.

“You don’t mind, do you?” she said coyly and came toward him like a nymph emerging from the water.

“M... Mind? No,” he stammered and sat up, swinging his legs out of bed. “Are you cold?” he asked, gathering his wits.

“No, why?” she asked as she neared. Jasmine enveloped him, and he greedily sucked in her fragrance.

“Then you do not need the scarf, do you?” He winked at her, and she beamed.