Page 58 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

But when she appeared downstairs, she found him in the sitting room interviewing a young woman. She lingered in the doorway, wondering if she’d forgotten an appointment when Nicholas spotted her and rose from his seat.

The man is far too handsome for his own good.

He looked so at ease in his fine clothing, and he’d bathed and prepared, his hair slicked back, his chin shaven, his cravat and coat just as they ought to be, stretching against broad shoulders, a strong chest, and thick arms. For a moment, she let her mind wander to the image of her legs being flung over his shoulders while he brought her more pleasure than she’d ever known, but then she quickly pushed it away as Nicholas approached her, a knowing smile on his lips.

“Wife, this is Mrs. Browning.” The young, dark-haired woman rose and curtsied. “A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”

Cordelia was as polite as she could be, but she had no knowledge of this interview, and she wondered what Nicholas was up to.

“Join us, Cordelia, and we can finish.”

Cordelia agreed and sat next to him. He was calm and professional as he asked a few more questions.

“And where was your last posting?” Cordelia asked.

Mrs. Browning looked a little sheepish. “I have already told His Grace that this would be my first appointment. However, I was the eldest of seven children, and my mother died at a young age, leaving me to raise them while my father worked. “I have all the necessary experience,” she added confidently, and Cordelia looked to Nicholas, who seemed calm and serene.

“Well, Mrs. Browning, thank you for your time. We shall make our decision in a day or so and be in touch.” He shook the young woman’s hand and Cordelia did the same before he led her out of the sitting room.

Cordelia wasn’t sure what to feel. While the young woman was new to being a nanny, she had kind eyes and an eager look about her. She was certain both Olivia and Tim would love her, and yet she continued to have misgivings.

Who would Helen have chosen?

Nicholas returned and pulled her out of her reverie when he shut the door and said, “I think Mrs. Browning the perfect choice. She has no pretensions and no past negative experiences in the houses of the upper crust. She is young enough that I think the children will take to her. I think we’ll hire her.”

Cordelia tensed. “You are simply deciding, and that is that? How did you even get this interview?”

“She was recommended through a friend of a friend, and I took them up on the offer to interview her. You can tell that she’s very eager. Her husband died soon after their marriage a few years ago, and she needs an opportunity to make her own way. She has no children of her own, either, if you’re concerned about her time.”

Cordelia frowned. “But what of the lack of experience?”

Nicholas stepped toward her, his face tense. “It is time to find a nanny. That’s all there is to it, Cordelia. We can no longer interview dozens of perfectly good candidates, only to not choose them. I know that last night was the first time you’d been out doing anything for yourself, but before that, you’ve been taking it upon yourself to act as a full-time nanny, even taking over duties for the maids we’ve put to the tasks. You are worrying too much, not thinking about eating or resting, and it’s time that you stop that. Helen and David would have never wanted this for you when they’d given you the children. You know that.”

He reached out and put his hands on her arms, looking down at her with a soft, yet stern expression.

“Very well. She can start with us, but I will be watching her closely. I feel I owe it to Helen to do so.”

He frowned. “Do not crowd the woman. She will be nervous when beginning, and she will need time to adjust. Just think of yourself. You did not have the requisite experience either before all this began.”

Cordelia was annoyed at his good sense, but she agreed. Stepping away, she went to the window and looked out for a moment, a sudden nervousness overtaking her.

“You found it,” she said softly.

“What are you talking about?” His footsteps sounded from behind her, and she turned around, a small smile on her face.

“The watch. My father’s.” She pulled it out from a pocket in her gown and showed him. “I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw it appear on my nightstand. However did you recover it?”

He stared down at the watch, and she could see his expression shuttering. “I had a feeling it was your father’s when I spotted it, and now I am certain it is. I’m very glad to hear that it is.”

He spoke each word in such a monotone that Cordelia was confused. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hit him or hug him.

“Don’t you know how happy this has made me and will make my family?”

He stepped away, rubbing his neck in obvious discomfort. “Yes, I think I do.”

“You have done another selfless thing, finding this for me, going out of your way to do so.”

The usual line formed between his dark brows, and his jaw clenched. “It was hardly selfless. You being happy and content is part of my role. It only serves me to make you so.”