Free His Bewitching Jewel (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 7) by Marly Mathews Page A

oblivious to Joan who was in her knitting basket, while the other looked as if she was doing repairs to the girls playing frocks.
    When they saw her, they both stood up and set aside what they had been working on. The kitten pushed the basket onto its side, and then came bouncing out of it, after a runaway ball of yarn.
    “Ah, Miss Ruby Massey,” the elder of the nannies said, coming forward. She looked approvingly at her. “You look like you will fit the position of governess, a wee bit better than the last one did.” This woman had cheerful blue eyes, and a welcoming air to her that put Ruby instantly at ease. “My name is Miss Lettice Hammett, and my quiet friend over there, is Miss Dorcas Bolitho.” Ruby looked over at Dorcas who looked up shyly at her. Dorcas smoothed her hands almost nervously over her white apron, as she regarded Ruby steadily.
    “It is nice to meet you both,” Ruby said softly.
    “Ah, yes, yes, you shall certainly do,” Lettice continued. “You look like you are a lovely girl. Not at all like what I had imagined.”
    “I…thank you,” Ruby stammered.
    “You shouldn’t have a hard time with the little ladies. They can be a little wild at times, but they have good hearts. And while Lady Cordelia can be quite quiet, her sweet personality cannot be equaled. They are very easy children to look after. Not at all like some of the little lords and ladies, I have had the privilege of caring for.” With those words, Lettice stepped closer to her, and dropped the tone of her voice. “You will have to get used to having the Duke look in on you. He will do it several times a day, and he might even attempt to engage you in civil whiskers, as he tries to see what sort of a person you are. He didn’t like what he found with the last governess, but then, most of us didn’t like her when she first walked into this grand old house. She was far too much like Mrs. Teague, and I have never approved of her. She would make our life difficult if the Duke didn’t take such an interest in us. I am quite certain she would have dismissed us weeks ago, as she doesn’t believe that we are strict enough with the children. There are a few other things you should also know…” her voice drifted away as the door to the nursery opened. “Ah, there is His Grace, right on time. He is nothing if not punctual,” she whispered beneath her breath, looking over at Ruby and winking at her encouragingly.
    They bobbed into curtsies, as the Duke acknowledged them.
    Ruby’s eyes went immediately to the duke. She couldn’t keep herself from it. He was a man that commanded everyone’s attention. One couldn’t fight it. He had such an authority to him that one couldn’t possibly ignore his thrall. He entered the room without a word, and went to stand by the children.
    “It is time to stop playing, my ladies. Your lessons are about to start, and Nanny Bolitho and I are about to take our leave, and get some chores done,” Lettice said.
    “Ah…you don’t have to rush off,” she said quickly, eyeing the Duke warily. She didn’t want to be left alone with him, even if they were in the company of his nieces.
    With one parting cheeky wink, Lettice left, and took Dorcas with her.
    Ruby’s heart thudded loudly in her breast. Her palms grew clammy, and she knew her breathing had become shallow. She couldn’t do this. She had to fight the overwhelming urge to flee the room. The girls stopped playing, and stood up, looking at her for instruction on what they should do next. Her mind went blank. She wouldn’t be able to teach them today, even if she tried. It was as if the Duke wiped everything clear from her brain. He made her feel quite undone, and she didn’t like feeling so lost.
    “Good morning, children,” she fought to keep her voice from shaking, but it was a losing battle. Her voice quivered with nervousness. She clasped her hands to her side and balled them up, while she started to chew at her bottom lip.
    What