“You – you are quite all right?”
The surprise disappeared from her eyes.
“I am quite well, my Lord. As is your nephew.”
“Yes, I am aware. I had the footman inform me of Henry’s situation a little earlier this morning.” Closing the door, he came into the room a little more. “Miss Trean, a question has been asked of me as regards this… stranger… walking about up here, and I fear I must ask it.”
She nodded and set her chalk down before picking up a cloth to wipe the dust from her fingers.
“But of course.”
Patrick bit his lip. The thought of asking Miss Trean whether or not she knew the person who had been above stairs was now something of a burden, as though his mind were begging him not to ask it.
“It has been suggested to me that you might be aware of this… stranger walking about here.” He saw her blink but continued on, ignoring the harsh warning in his mind. “Perhaps you have come to speak to me about him in the hope that I will never make the connection between yourself and such a person.”
Miss Trean took a step back, her face paling.
“You mean to state that you believe me to be lying to you?”
Spreading his hands, Patrick tried to smile.
“It is only a question, Miss Trean and one that I think only fair to ask.”
He was surprised how sharply she turned away from him. Silence grew between them, the air growing thick.That was not a wise thing to ask her.His mind screamed at him for his foolishness, but Patrick could not do anything now but wait for her answer.
“I shouldneverdo such a thing, my Lord.” The tremor in her voice made Patrick close his eyes in frustration. He had ignored his conscience, had fought against the warning in his mind, and had spoken something that had caused the lady great distress. “I came to you because I was afraid. Afraid for Henry’s safety, not for my own.” She turned back to face him, her face white and pinched and her eyes glassy. “I would never show such disrespect, Lord Addenbrook, either to youorto myself.”
It took him a moment to grasp what she meant but it soon became clear. Her character was one of uprightness and she clearly found even the suggestion of a dalliance to be completely distasteful.
“I ought not to have asked.”
Miss Trean lifted her chin but despite her clear determination to hold herself together, a single tear trickled down her cheek.
“I assure you, Lord Addenbrook, I would never behave in such a way. I think too highly of both yourself and the position you have given me toeverdo such a thing. I have been very afraid indeed to hear these footsteps. I wasinjuredthe first time! Did you not recall that?”
“I did.” The suggestion that Lord Hogarth had made over her injury now seemed utterly preposterous and Patrick dropped his head in shame. “Forgive me, Miss Trean. I ought never to have asked you such a thing.” Again, came the silence and when Patrick lifted his head, he saw Miss Trean’s tear-filled eyes looking back at him. His heart ripped. He had behaved more than a little foolishly and even though she was his nephew’s governess, his hired help, the pain he had caused her brought Patrick a great deal of regret. “Miss Trean, I am sorry.”
She closed her eyes, and another tear ran down her cheek.
“You have every right to ask, my Lord.” Her words were hard, her voice shaking. “I pray that you do not ever have cause to doubt my loyalty and consideration towards you again.”
When she opened her eyes, Patrick’s heart burst into flame. He swallowed against the tightness in his throat, but it only constricted all the more. The urge to pull himself close to her grew steadily and even though his mind protested that she was only a governess and that he ought not to have any such feelings for her, Patrick could not rid himself of such a desire. He would not take advantage of her. To do so would be entirely disrespectful and unfair.
Miss Trean took a small step forward, then blinked in surprise, as if astonished that she had acted in such a way.
A burst of hope flared in his chest.If she feels anything for me, then –
It did not make sense. He should not even be considering this, given her status and his own, but suddenly, that did not seem to matter one iota. Patrick did not know who moved first, for one moment they were apart and the very next, his arms were about her and her head was resting on his shoulder.
An explosion of fire ripped through his chest.
What are you doing?
A swell of horror and fright and wonder and delight wrapped itself all around him, seeming to tie him to Miss Trean. He could hear her breathing, the sensation of her fingers next to his collar making the floor seem to shake beneath his feet.
Patrick swallowed hard.
“Miss Trean. I do not wish to take advantage of you.”