The Governess and Mr. Granville. Abby Gaines
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Название: The Governess and Mr. Granville
Автор: Abby Gaines
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Исторические любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon Love Inspired Historical
isbn: 9781408997543
isbn:
“Excellent,” she said warmly.
He shook off the pleasant feeling her approval induced. “For my wife to be attractive would be nice, but not essential.”
“A Christian woman,” Serena suggested.
“Naturally,” he said. “I believe most ladies of my acquaintance are Christians.”
“Someone...playful?” she proposed.
He frowned.
“You don’t object to play, do you?”
“Of course not,” he said. “It’s good for children to play. When it’s appropriate.”
Her quick grin said she considered him stuffy. To a twenty-one-year-old girl, he probably was. “I expect my wife to be mature,” he said. “Close to my own age.”
She nodded as if that made complete sense, which, perversely, left him feeling insulted. Who was to say he couldn’t find himself a younger wife if he wished?
Though a more mature woman was less likely to have romantic notions.
“The main thing is,” he said, putting an abrupt end to a conversation that had already become too personal, “the children should have someone to take the maternal role in their lives.”
“You mean, to love them.” Why did she have to twist everything, yet at the same time make it sound so uncomplicated?
“You really are very young, Serena.” Blast, he’d used her Christian name again.
“I suspect you mean I’m naive,” she said. “If believing in the power of love to transform lives is naive, then, yes, I am.”
“No doubt you’re right.” But Dominic would settle for a successful come-out for his daughters, and for a more comfortable existence for his sister.
Serena’s tsk suggested she knew he was fobbing her off. But she didn’t argue. “I think Louisa will sleep through now,” she said.
“Excellent.” He looked down at his sleeping daughter. Louisa had always been a small child, but huddled as she was, she seemed tiny. He had the urge to caress her in some way...but he didn’t know how. Awkward, he rubbed the bump in the blanket made by her foot. “I will do my best for my children in this matter of my remarriage, Miss Somerton, you may rely on that. I am more than conscious that they depend on me. Indeed, I would give my life for any of them.”
What on earth had possessed him to say something so dramatic? Blame it on the midnight madness.
Serena made a smothered sound. Dominic raised his eyebrows at her, daring her to comment.
She shook her head. “It’s time I returned to my chamber.” She bent over and kissed Louisa’s forehead. That was what he should have done, he realized, castigating himself. It seemed obvious now. The way Serena smoothed a lock of his daughter’s hair reminded him of Emily. For one moment, he found himself wanting that touch on his own hair, that tenderness directed at him. No.
Yet instinctively, he drew closer, and as Serena straightened, she bumped into him. Dominic grasped her arms to steady her. Immediately, he released her.
They stood staring at each other.
“Good night,” she blurted. And almost ran from the room.
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