How innocent Ivy’s life was in comparison to his. Or perhaps not. His brows knotted at the enigmatic note.
Dear Ivy,
I know your employer will not allow you another day off, but if there is any chance he might grant you a few hours of freedom, I shall be forever grateful.
I need to confess to you what I did in London. Until I share this burden with you I cannot sleep or eat. I am so full of morose thoughts that I burst into tears when even a leaf falls.
I had an interview yesterday with a viscountess who is seeking a companion. She has promised me the job. And I have accepted. I expect to start work soon.
There are great changes afoot at Fenwick. I’m sworn to secrecy, but be prepared. It seems to us that you found love in London.
By the way, today is Lilac’s natal day. I wish you could be here. For the first time in years, we are celebrating in grand fashion, and all because of you.
Your loving sister,
Rue
James refolded the letter and handed it back to the butler. Ivy would never forgive him for reading another of her correspondences. “Have Carstairs reseal and deliver it to Lady Ivy upstairs. I should never have opened it.”
The butler bowed. “An understandable mistake, Your Grace.”
“Yes.”
Understandable. But James wasn’t sure he understood the contents of the missive.
It seems that you found love in London.
Could Rue be referring to that long-ago incident between Ivy and James at the masquerade ball? It was possible Ivy had told her sisters how she and James had met. That pleased him, to think he was important enough for her to speak of in those terms to them.
It was also possible that Rue was talking about another man. She could have been alluding to a poet who enticed a woman with her own pearls and words that promised everything and meant nothing at all.
* * *
Ivy saw the duke propped against the doorjamb and felt like she was falling again. Not out of a window, it was true, but into a different kind of danger, one that could only end with a pain worse than anything she’d ever imagined. But when he smiled at her, ignoring the children’s cries of greeting, she didn’t care how or where she landed. She could only hope he would be there to catch her.
“Your Grace.” She stood, edging around the globe, and curtsied. “We were studying the correct forms of address when one is presented at court.”
“Elora is taking me on a visit,” Walker said, sliding off his stool.
Ivy noticed the duke glance at the letter on her desk. She was positive the rogue had read and resealed it. He had no compunctions about uncovering her secrets. And he wasn’t subtle at all about his desires.
“How is your hand?” he asked.
“I would never have known I’d injured it if not for this cumbersome bandage. It does make writing difficult.”
His smile vanished. “I understand.”
“I’ve been a bother,” she said, held hostage by his stare.
“I see that you received the letter,” he said, as if Ivy weren’t perfectly aware he had knowledge of the contents. “Is everything well at home?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. I forgot that today is my sister’s birthday.”
Mary barreled around her and anchored herself to the duke’s side. “Don’t make me go with Elora. I want to stay here.”
He stroked her hair. “Why?” he asked gently. “Are you that attached to your governess?”
“Well, I am,” Mary answered. “But I want to be here in case my father sends you a letter or my mother returns for us.”
His eyes darkened. Ivy doubted he would surrender the children, even if their mother did come home. “Fine, Mary,” he said, but he was still staring at Ivy. He added in a hesitant voice, “Your governess must take the afternoon off. I think we’ve worn her to tatters in the short time she’s been here.”
Ivy studied his stern face. “Are you giving me permission to go home?”
“Only for a few hours. And I shall have my footman escort you and remain on guard outside Fenwick until you are ready to come back.”
So he had read her letter.
She sighed. “I don’t need guards. There haven’t been any highwaymen lurking in the hedgerows for decades.”
“I’m not worried about highwaymen,” he replied. “It’s the scoundrels who have been attracted to the area lately that are of concern.”
Ivy almost retorted that it took one to know one. But then he gave her a smile that could have melted iron, let alone a lady’s heart. She wasn’t about to admit to him that when it came to scoundrels, he had no competition. She was grateful for the consideration he’d shown her yesterday and again now.