“Wonderful!” Theodora jumped up and down before snatching up a light green dress from the pile and holding it out to Livinia. “No, I don’t think that will do.” She tossed the dress aside and searched for another.
Any other governess would have reprimanded the girl, but the atmosphere of excitement was too scintillating for Livinia to resist.
“This one would be perfect!” She held up a light silver dress with many fine stones. “Try it on!” She held it out to her.
Livinia reached out and accepted the dress with hesitant hands. Her simple life in London had been a far cry from balls and fancy evening dresses. Although she had heard many tales from the Fletcher girls, she had never imagined she would be in a situation where she tried on a dress with fine stones.
Theodora helped her undress and slipped the fabric over her head, fastening the ribbons at the back. The dress fit well, except for her chest, which was considerably bigger than the younger girl’s.
“Look in the mirror,” Theodora said softly, standing back with a look of awe on her face.
Taking a deep breath, Livinia turned and examined her figure. She wouldn’t have recognized herself if she hadn’t known it was her reflection. Her curves stood out sensually, and her pale skin glowed with the silver fabric.
“It’s a pity you weren’t born a lady; you would make all the other women jealous. Can you imagine how enchanting you would look on the arm of a handsome man?” Theodora asked before turning her attention back to her own quest.
Livinia sucked in a sharp breath. What Theodora had said was true enough. She cut a fetching picture in a gown. The part that bothered her was the fact that the earl had come to mind. What would she look like on his arm in a fancy dress?
Chapter 11
Livinia reached up and placed the books back on one of the shelves in the study. Her fingers rested on the spines for a second as she attempted to gather her thoughts. The fact that the earl’s parents may have been murdered in the room she used for lessons weighed heavy on her mind amidst the turmoil of the previous evening.
Am I getting ideas above my station?
Her mind drifted to when she’d tried on the dress the evening before. Benedict had instantly come to mind as someone at her side. The feel of his hand against her lips sent a hot shiver down her spine as she lowered her fingers to her mouth. The swelling of her breasts above her corset rose and fell as her breathing deepened.
What would it feel like if he touched me?
The tips of her fingers moved down her jaw, tracing a line over her neck where his breath had caressed her skin. Her core tingled deliciously with the memory of his scent. There was no denying that Benedict was a handsome man. Her hand travelled to her chest and paused between her breasts, conjuring up desires of the earl exploring her body.
“Miss Campbell,” Benedict suddenly spoke behind her in a deep voice that made her jump.
Feeling her heart leap from her chest, she whipped around and quickly took a step back. The shelf stood steady and firm, but one of the books that hadn’t been pushed all the way back came crashing to the ground.
Oh Lord, how long was he standing there?
She guiltily placed a hand at the base of her throat. Had he seen where her hand had been? And had her thoughts been written across her face? Heat flooded her cheeks as she waited for a response.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” The corners of his mouth hooked up in a teasing smile as he came forward and knelt in front of her, retrieving the book that lay face down with the pages splayed wide on the wooden floor.
The nearness of his body did little to calm her nerves. She had acted entirely inappropriately in front of the man who paid her wages.
“You need to be more careful, Miss Campbell.” His voice was barely above a whisper as he slowly came up straight and placed the book back on the shelf above her head. He lingered there for a moment as he looked into her eyes with the same kind of lustful gaze that had been there before.
Livinia felt as if she would melt into a puddle if he lingered above her any longer or lose control entirely. Her core ached for his touch with a fiery need she couldn’t extinguish. He was so close that her breasts were nearly touching his chest as they continued to heave with every breath.
Benedict lowered his hand and paused right beside her face as if he were about to reach out and touch her. The atmosphere was so charged and tense that Livinia wondered if a cloud was about to burst and unleash the storm brewing beneath the surface.
“I … I didn’t mean to drop the book, My Lord.” Her voice was breathy through the rugged breaths coursing through her body.
Lowering his hand, Benedict slowly brought his knuckles to her cheek, caressing her soft skin with the back of his fingers. Her eyes began to flutter as he leaned in closer, pressing his body into hers with his head angled to the side.
A distant clattering made them jump apart, each looking around for the cause of the noise.
“I think that Thomas must have dropped something,” she ventured as an explanation and quickly hurried towards the desk, tucking a few strands of loose hair behind her head. She needed to place as much distance between herself and the earl as possible. Their impromptu moments together were beginning to feel almost natural as if an unstoppable force were pulling them together.
Benedict cleared his throat and glanced at the door before saying, “I wanted to ask you how my sister is doing. Is Lady Theodora ready for the upcoming ball?” He reverted to his cool demeanour, and Livinia wondered if he wasn’t trying to put more distance between them like she was. He stood rooted to the spot as if too afraid to move.
Taking a deep breath, Livinia composed herself by picking up the stack of parchment on the desk and sorting through it. “She’s quite thrilled, actually. She has her dress picked and is currently in her chambers deciding what style her hair needs to be in.” She allowed a soft smile to curve her lips. Lady Theodora had put in quite a bit of effort already considering the fact that she had only been aware of the ball for a day.
“I can imagine that she is quite excited; a young lady’s first official ball is always a memorable occasion, I am sure.” He seemed almost uncomfortable as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. His fidgety behaviour made Livinia wonder if something else was on his mind. Did he want to discuss what had happened with his parents again, or was there something else he wanted to broach but didn’t know how?
“She’s also quite excited to have you at her side as a chaperone.” She tried to lighten the mood a bit by shifting the focus entirely to the subject of Theodora. If he had wanted to speak of anything else, she would tactfully steer him away from dangerous waters.
Benedict seemed to regain his composure as he made his way around the desk and lowered his body into one of the chairs, making himself comfortable.
Oh, dear, he’s going to stay.
She dragged her lower lips through her teeth from exasperation. She wanted to be alone so that nothing else could happen between them.
“I won’t be Lady Theodora’s only chaperone.” Benedict took her by surprise as he suddenly spoke.
“Oh?” Livinia paused just as she was about to turn to the shelves, hugging the stack of parchment against her chest like a shield that would defend her virtue against his gaze. Her mind suddenly raced with possibilities. Had he found a date for the ball, or was the mysterious Lady Eleanor about to reappear in his life?
Her chest clenched uncomfortably as the pit of her stomach recoiled with anxiety. What would life in the mansion be like if another woman came into the picture?
She won’t be the other woman; I am just the governess.
She admonished herself for once again thinking above her station where Benedict was concerned. Being the only mature woman in the house combined with the attraction she felt towards him was beginning to present a very real problem.
