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“Perhaps another time then?” Lady Florentia suggested, glancing around the three of them as if she were none to convinced by his excuse.
“Perhaps,” the Duke said though he did not sound all too convinced in his own words. “Lady Amy, Miss Percival, shall we return to the manor to get cleaned up? I rather believe I have begun to set.”
Matilda could not help but laugh at the way the Duke moved, causing his clothing to make an awful cracking sound where the mud had begun to harden on his trousers.
“If you wish, Your Grace,” Matilda said quickly and she was sure she felt Lady Florentia’s scornful gaze on her once more even as she turned with Lady Amy, all too happy to return to the manor if it meant getting away from her.
Even Lady Amy breathed a sigh of relief as they left her father to say his final farewells to the woman. Matilda glanced over her shoulder only the once, relieved to see that the Duke had not drawn closer to the woman upon their leaving. Though she had no idea what was going on between them, she was certain that it was not good. And although it made her feel guilty, she was pleased about it.
Chapter 12
That evening, Watson was surprised by Timothy joining them for tea. Though they had planned it several days earlier, the commotion of the last few days had left him quite turned around. Yet he, his daughter, his closest friend, and the governess easily fell into the usual routine of having dinner. After the day they'd had, their little accident in the mud included, dinner with an old friend was the perfect way to end it.
And afterwards, once Miss Percival had taken his daughter reluctantly to bed, she returned to join him and Timothy in the library for a drink as he had requested of her. The last thing he wanted was to miss their nightly report meeting just because he had a guest.
"Miss Percival, I must say the work you have done here is astounding," Timothy announced as soon as the young governess entered the library. "I am in awe of how easily you have wrangled these two."
Watson clenched his teeth in order to stop himself from snapping some harsh retort at his friend about how he and his daughter were not cattle in need of wrangling. Miss Percival beat him to it. "Mr Gould, I merely gave everyone the time and compassion to come to an easy and calm routine of their own."
Timothy turned an expression on Watson with a raised eyebrow that said,I can damn well see why you like her.
Feeling his stomach clench, Watson gestured Miss Percival further into the room and asked, "Can I get you a drink, Miss Percival?"
Glancing at the whisky glasses on the table between him and Timothy, Miss Percival quickly shook her head and responded, "Thank you, Your Grace, but I had quite enough at dinner."
"I could call Mr Burns or Quintin for some tea or maybe a glass of juice?" Watson suggested, feeling as though he wanted and needed to take care of her. It was an odd sensation and one that he could not ignore any more than he had to breathe.
"Please, do not trouble yourself, Your Grace," Miss Percival insisted. "I am rather tired and do not wish to stay up too much longer unless you have any real need for me."
I have every need for you!Watson's immediate thought startled him, and he gripped the arm of the armchair he was sitting in, forcing himself not to say the words aloud.
"Please, do not let me intrude," Timothy insisted, almost as if he sensed Watson's feelings on the matter. He quickly picked up his glass of whisky and drained the contents before pushing himself to his feet. "I know that the two of you usually spend this time to discuss my perfect little niece so I shall not keep you."
"Oh no, Mr Gould, please," Miss Percival protested with a shake of her head and a wave of her hand. "His Grace does not have the pleasure of your company often."
"And that is probably a good thing, Miss Percival." Timothy chuckled, offering Watson yet another knowing look that suggested he rather liked the governess himself. Watson's lips pursed and he had to bite his bottom lip to stop himself from saying something he might regret. "Besides, I have much business on the morrow, and I ought to have been gone an hour ago."
Moving around the library to stand before Miss Percival, the man held out his hand to Miss Percival. Watson watched, his shoulders tense and his teeth clenched as she placed her hand in his.
"Thank you for a most wonderful evening, Miss Percival," Timothy said even as he bowed and kissed the governess’ hand.
"And thank you, Mr Gould, though I think it was everyone else who made the evening wonderful," Miss Percival responded with one of her usual radiant smiles. Watson's heart skipped a beat when she glanced over Timothy's shoulder to look at him. The look that passed over her face was gone in an instant, but it made Watson more hopeful than he ever had a right to be.
"Please, let me escort you out," Watson suggested, pushing himself to his feet, feeling the urge to break their hands apart himself.He is my best friend and she our governess,he reminded himself firmly.Control yourself!
Yet still, he rounded the sitting area and came to stand close to the door with the two of them.
"Watson, how many years have I been a guest in this house?" Timothy hissed at him with a roll of his eyes. "I think I am more than capable of seeing myself out. Besides, I am sure Burns is lurking somewhere to make sure he locks up swiftly after I am gone."
Holding out his hand to Watson, the two shook hands and as usual, Timothy pulled the Duke into a brotherly embrace.
"Watch yourself now with this one," he whispered playfully into Watson's ear just moments before he stepped back and released him. Watson's chest tightened and he quickly glanced at the governess, praying that she had not overheard his friend. He was relieved to find that she was standing a little way off with her head bowed and her hands clasped before her, minding her own business.
"Please, both of you, enjoy the rest of your evening," Timothy insisted, clapping Watson on the shoulder, and giving him one more final pointed look. With that, he bowed and removed himself from the room, grabbing hold of the open door and closing it behind him before either of them could stop him.
For a moment, Watson thought of opening it back up again. The last thing he wanted was to make Miss Percival feel uncomfortable, alone in his presence. But then he imagined what she might think if he did. Maybe she would believe he did not wish to be alone in her presence and he could not bear the thought of ever offering her any kind of rejection.
Turning with a careful smile upon his face, Watson gestured to the couch and suggested, "Shall we get on with the daily report?"
