Free Tainted by Temptation by Katy Madison Page B

shaking.
    Or perhaps it was because Mr. Pendar had come upon her.
    She’d tried to focus on him, not the cliffs mere feet from her. Keeping her back to the ocean, she’d been doing all right. His energy seemed to fill her. But when he spun her around, the fear of falling had gripped her by the throat and she panicked.
    “Miss Campbell?” Nellie stood at the head of the stairs, her arms folded across her chest.
    Hoping she didn’t look as wild-eyed as she felt, Velvet answered, “Yes.”
    Worrying a broken nail, Velvet concentrated on slowing her breathing. All she wanted was five minutes in her room to regain her composure, but the scowling woman blocked her path.
    “What can I do for you?” asked Velvet. She hoped the question would disarm Nellie.
    “I understand you took Eve.”
    “The doll, yes.” Velvet sighed.
    “I’d like her back now.” Nellie leveled a fishy eye gaze at her.
    “I’m sorry, no.” Velvet resumed her climb up the narrow stairs.
    The woman looked taken aback by her refusal and lack of explanation.
    “That doll is special to her.” Nellie looked over her shoulder.
    Velvet was weary of battles. “Perhaps you can help her pick out four less special dolls to give away, then.”
    She’d reached the top step and stood waiting for Nellie to move out of her way.
    “Mr. Pendar won’t approve,” said Nellie.
    “He already has. I just spoke with him. Now if you will excuse me.”
    Velvet pushed past. Was she to have no allies in this household?
    “You spoke with him?” said Nellie, her voice hushed.
    Velvet turned. The angular woman had her hand against her chest, as if speaking to Mr. Pendar was unusual.
    “Yes. Is Iris ready to go down for breakfast?”
    “No.”
    “Will you have her ready in ten minutes, please?” Velvet felt snappish. Hungry, overwrought, and ready to bite the head off the next person who interfered with her. Instead, she concentrated on breathing slowly—A feat nearly impossible after climbing four flights of stairs.
    “Don’t you wish to wait until after the master has finished?”
    “No.” As hungry as she was, she saw no reason to delay. Away from the cliffs, she was regaining her equilibrium.
    She sighed. It was almost as if she’d lived a lifetime this morning. She was eager to get to the breakfast table and fully fill her stomach for the first time in months.
    An image of Lucian Pendar with his tousled wet hair ruffled by the sea breeze crowded out thoughts of food. A frisson of alarm shuddered down her spine. No matter how solicitous he’d seemed, he was not the reason she was eager to go to breakfast. He couldn’t be.
    Nellie continued to stare at her.
    “I should like to begin Iris’s lessons by nine,” Velvet said firmly. She needed to begin as she meant to go on and firmly establish her position as Iris’s governess. “I believe we have a great deal of catching up to do.”
    “Uh, ma’am, Iris is not fond of the schoolroom.”
    Nellie’s pronouncement saved Velvet from ruminating on her fascination with her employer.
    “Why is that?” she asked.
    Tucking her hands under the bib of her apron, Nellie looked away. “She’s not the most clever when it comes to book learning.”
    Nothing Velvet had seen in Iris suggested the girl was slow, but she couldn’t discount the warnings. “Her instruction will include much more than basic subjects. I will be teaching her painting, music, and manners. Perhaps she will find some lessons she likes.”
    “Is that why the easel is out?” asked Nellie, as if it had been a great mystery.
    A clattering of heels on the stairs brought a breathless young woman to join them. “He’s back.”
    The maid pushed past them and ducked inside a room down the hall.
    “Who was that?” asked Velvet.
    “Meg,” answered Nellie. “She knows better than to be around when the master comes in. Them that knows what’s good for them, stays out of his sight.” Nellie pivoted and strode toward Iris’s room.
    Velvet