“Oh please. You’re stunning and just his type, or at least that’s what Vice says.” Ada gave her a sideways glance.
Just his type? Was that true? “What sort is that?”
Ada shrugged then waved her hand. “Lovely, petite. You might be surprised by how much he actually likes you.”
Mary sat back in her chair. But why would he have been so cold if he’d been interested in her?
Sin stood just outside the front door, Anne’s hand tucked into his. In the end they’d decided to give her a few days off from lessons to get to know Mary. Might as well give her trial run a real chance at success. They’d also agreed to greet Mary when she arrived to make her feel welcome.
Which was a decision he wanted to regret. Lords did not, as a general rule, meet staff at the door on their first day. But as Anne bounced next to him, the first real smile on her lips that he’d seen in weeks, he had a difficult time regretting the choice.
“What do you think we’ll do?” Anne asked, dancing a bit on the end of his hand. She reminded him of a kite on a string. “Do you think we’ll go to see her cousins?”
“I don’t know,” he answered, watching for the carriage. Was it wrong that he couldn’t wait to have another look at her?
Anne gave another wiggle. “I’d like to see the ships at the docks.”
He crinkled his brow, looking down at his daughter. “Miss Chase is here to teach you to be a lady, not a hooligan.”
Ann immediately stilled. “Yes, Papa.”
He winced. He hadn’t meant to spoil her good mood. “That doesn’t mean you won’t have fun. In fact, Mary seems to think a bit of adventure would be good for you.”
Anne’s eyes lit again. “I can’t wait.”
He tightened his jaw, grinding his teeth together. How had Mary come in and instantly known what his daughter needed when he didn’t have a clue. Perhaps he’d been preoccupied—at first, to keep his business afloat. Then, saving Anne from the countess, and at last, dealing with her after the traumatic kidnapping. Hopefully, he’d given Mary enough time to find out.
The carriage rumbled through the gates and started up the drive, making its way toward them. Anne gripped his hand tightly, holding her breath, and he had the urge to do the same. As the carriage ground to a halt, the driver climbed down and snapped open the door. Then Mary, lifting her skirts, climbed down from the vehicle. His breath caught as he glimpsed her slender ankle.
The skirts fell into place and Anne bolted forward, throwing her arms wide. “Miss Chase, Miss Chase you’re here! What shall we do today?”
Mary caught his daughter up in a hug. “The possibilities are endless,” she replied, running her hand down Anne’s braid. As requested, she’d been dressed in an old gown, the child’s hair simply styled. “But why don’t you start by showing me to my room?”
Anne let go and clapped. “Wonderful. You’re going to stay right next to me.”
Mary’s snapped her gaze up to his. “Not with the servants?”
He winced, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. “I suppose I consider your position to be more like a nanny.”
Her gaze narrowed. “But she has a nanny already.”
“Anne,” he should have explained more yesterday. He’d gotten distracted by his attraction to her along with her decidedly strong personality. So different from Clara. “Take Miss Chase’s bag upstairs.”
“Yes, Papa,” Anne said, taking the bag from the driver. “Reeves can help me.”
Reeves came down the steps. “I’d be happy to, Miss Anne.” He gave the girl a soft grin. “Shall we?” And the two of them headed off, each holding a handle of her bag.
“I didn’t expect to see a soft side to that man,” Mary said as she watched them go.
Sin shook his head. “He’s always been like that with her. He was like that with me too as a child.”
Mary stepped up to his side. “That makes a great deal more sense.”
“As to why I don’t sack him?” Sin smiled, drinking in the details of her face.
She smiled back, so sweet and lovely. “Yes.” She stepped next to him. “I assume you wanted to speak with me about the room assignment?”
He nodded as he held out his arm to help her up the steps. She looked down, hesitating. “I’m not a lady that you need to escort.”
She was right of course, but he didn’t drop his elbow. “We may as well accept the fact that this is not a normal arrangement.”
She looked up at him with her lips parted in surprise. She swallowed then asked. “How so?”
Looking down at her like that made him ache with want, and belatedly he realized what his words might have implied. “What I mean is that you are family to my family. And the role I need from you is hardly of a normal teacher.”
Mary gave a tentative nod, slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow. “That makes sense.”
He started up the stairs. “You should know that Anne has been having nightmares. The nanny has tried everything to get her to sleep through the night but nothing’s worked.”
“Poor thing,” Mary murmured, drawing in a shuddering breath. “So I am next to her to help her at night as well as during the day?”
“If you are willing,” he answered. “But even if you’re not, we both know you are not a normal servant in this house. A fact I’ll share with Reeves as well. I gather from your comment that he was less than friendly yesterday?”
Shaking her head, she looked up to him again. “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure he was only being protective of Anne.”
Sin stopped in the foyer, turning partially toward her. “He likely was, but it will be my job to protect you as well while you are under my roof. If I don’t, my guess is
