Aaron St John, Duke of Radcliff, pulled back the curtain to look out the carriage window. He had been traveling for nearly ten hours stopping only to tend to his horses and stretch his legs. Even now he itched to depart from the carriage, but would not make a stop so close to home. He wished to arrive in time to enjoy super with his daughter Sophia.

He’d never spent more than a night away from Sophia since her mother ran off. After a sennight away, he missed her fiercely. Her smiling cherub face entered his mind and he grinned reaching for the opposite bench. A golden haired doll, the same shade as Sophia’s, had caught his eye in a London shop. On impulse Aaron strolled in and purchased it for her.

He lifted the top of the bench to retrieve the doll, his breath hitching. “Bloody hell.”

He peered into the compartment; a wide eyed woman stared back at him, her hair the same golden shade he’d just been imagining. It was as if the doll had come to life in the shape of a breathing woman. “Who the devil are you? How did you get here?”

She sat up, her cheeks tinting scarlet. “I…I do not know where to start.”

Recovering slightly, Aaron reached out a hand. “Start by getting out of there.”

She nodded, accepting his offer. Heat passed between their ungloved hands, warming his palm. Aaron pulled her to stand, then assisted her to step from the compartment. As soon as she was free of the compartment, he dropped her hand, turned, and closed the bench—Sophia’s doll all but forgotten. He turned back to the mysterious woman. “Do sit and explain yourself at once.”

She lowered herself onto the plush seat, folding her hands in her lap as Aaron retook his own seat across from her.

“Please accept my apology for startling you.” She smoothed her skirts. “It was not my intent. You see, you were not supposed to discover me.”

“Fascinating, do go on.”

“I am Miss Emma Baxter.” She looked away for a brief moment.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Baxter. You may address me as Your Grace.”

The woman’s violet eyes rounded again, but only for a second before she masked her surprise. She clearly had no idea whose carriage she’d stowed away in. He studied her for a moment, taking in her hallowed cheeks, pale skin, and wrinkled frock. She appeared as though she’d been through quite an ordeal. “Now explain how it is you came to be inside of my coach?”

Miss Baxter averted her gaze, a deep blush blooming across her face. “I…” She drew a breath and met his gaze. “I am not quite sure how to explain. You see the answer is not at all simple.”

Aaron rubbed the back of his neck. “Start at the beginning and give me the highlights.”

“Well, you see, I was—” The coach came to a stop and the driver called out, cutting off her words. “It really is not a simple answer, Your Grace. I fear the explanation will take some time.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “Never mind the reason. My driver will take you anywhere you wish to go.” He stood as a footman opened the carriage door. “Give my coachman directions and be on your way, Miss Baxter.”

Her shoulders slumped as she looked up at the coaches’ roof. “It is rather late for traveling.”

“Daddy, Daddy, your home.” Aaron turned back to the door at Sophia’s excited voice. Miss Baxter could wait, for now his daughter was all that mattered. He exited the carriage as she ran toward him. The moment she came into reach, he swept her into his arms spinning her in a circle before dropping a kiss on her cheek.

“I missed you so much, Daddy.” Sophia smiled up at him.

He hugged her closer. “I missed you exceedingly too, Poppet.”

“Did you bring me anything?” Sophia’s attention turned to the carriage. “Who is that lady, Daddy?” She looked at him, her eyes brimming with curiosity and excitement.

Aaron glanced at the coach, his gaze trailing over the woman filling the doorway. What if she presented a danger to his daughter? He knew nothing of her other than that she did not belong here. And that she came to be at his home in the most outlandish way.

Miss Baxter smiled at him as his footman assisted her from the carriage causing his irritation spiked. Did she truly intend to stay?

Lowering Sophia to the ground, Aaron determined to send Miss Baxter packing. He’d simply put her back in the coach and instruct his driver to take her wherever she wished to go. With long strides, he walked back across the pebbled drive.

“Miss Baxter, I fear you cannot remain here. If you will kindly get back in the carriage my driver will be pleased to take you elsewhere.”

“Your Grace, might I have a meal before you send me away? It has been a very long day and I am famished.” She glanced at the house then back to him.

Sophia tugged at his coattails before he could answer. “Daddy, won’t you introduce me to your new friend?” She beamed up at him with the excitement only a child could muster.

Aaron stared down at his daughter’s glowing face not at all sure how he should proceed. Miss Baxter was clearly in need of sustenance and Sophia was beyond excited at the possibility of having company.

Could he disappoint them both by sending Miss Baxter away without so much as a meal? What sort of gentleman would that make him?

“I am Miss Emma Baxter.” She reached her hand out to Sophia. “And who do I have the pleasure of introducing myself to?”

Sophia took her hand, her eyes dancing as a small giggle escaped her. “Lady Sophia, ma’am. Do say you are staying for the evening meal?”

“I am afraid that decision is your Papa’s to make,”—Miss Baxter turned her violet eyes on him—,“though I would be pleased to dine with you if he sees fit to invite me.”

Sophia’s pleading blue gaze locked on him. “Daddy, do say she can stay. Please. Pretty please with crumpets on top.”

Aaron’s resistance faded under his daughter’s pleas. Resigned he proffered his arm to Miss Baxter. “I would be honored if you would consent to join us.”

“The honor is all mine, Your Grace.” She took his proffered arm while Sophia grabbed his free hand.

He inhaled a cleansing breath as he led them toward the house. All would be fine. It was only a meal after all. What harm could come of it?

* * *

Emma sat to the duke’s left across from Lady Sophia. She’d been given a room to freshen up in, along with a bath before coming down to dinner. The duke had even sent a maid to assist her. To her chagrin, the maid had taken her wrinkled, dusty gown to launder and given her a new frock to wear down to super.

“Is your room to your liking, Miss Baxter?” Lady Sophia asked.

“It is a lovely room, thank you.”

The girl smiled. “I picked it out special for you.”

“You did?” Emma smiled back at her. “Well you did a splendid job.”

“Daddy says I am not to pry, but I cannot stop myself. Won’t you consider spending the night? I do so love the idea of having a lady’s company.”

Emma watched as the duke fairly choked on his wine. “Miss Baxter has places to be, Sophia.”

“On the contrary, I have no commitments,” Emma said in a rush.

She felt terribly out of place in such a grand home yet safer and better cared for than she had in weeks. If only she could stay—even for a few nights—she might be able to come up with a more permanent solution to her problems.

“Wonderful. Then you will stay as my guest if not Daddy’s.” Lady Sophia sipped a spoonful of soup.

Rather than consent to the girls wishes, as bad as she wanted to do just that, Emma looked to the duke for direction. He sat stone still, a blaze in the depths of his sky-blue eyes. Would the duke take pity on her if she revealed her situation to him?

She sat her water glass aside and studied him at the head of the table. He might sympathize, might even offer to protect her, but what if he saw her as a danger? She simply could not risk being tossed out tonight. Not when Lady Sophia had invited her to stay. She’d be gone soon enough at any rate.

Giving the duke what she hopped was a sympathetic look, she shrugged her shoulders as if to say, ‘sorry but what would you have me do’. Emma was about to turn her attention back to Lady Sophia when the duke gave a nod of what Emma hopped was consent. She smiled at him, then looked at the girl, “I would be honored to stay as your guest, Lady Sophia.”

Emma ate her fill of each course, soup, fish, foul…as Lady Sophia chatted about a myriad of topics. Everything from fashion to favorite pastimes and deserts was covered by the time the meal concluded. She enjoyed listening to, and chatting, with Lady Sophia a great deal. The girl’s exuberance and innocents proved infectious. And Emma’s mood had been lightened a great deal, her worries somehow lessoned during the meal, as a result of Lady Sophia’s good cheer.

She placed a bite of sherbet into her mouth and relished the way it melted on her tongue. When had she had such a delectable treat? Certainly never at Uncle Silas’s home, perhaps her parents had given her such sweets? She could not recall.

“Daddy?” Lady Sophia sat down her spoon, a serious expression overcoming her heart-shaped face. “I have something I must confess.”

The duke swallowed, setting his wine glass aside. “Do have out with it, Poppet.”

Emma’s curiosity peaked at the girl’s words, though she did her best not to look overly eager as it seemed like a private moment.

Lady Sophia averted her gaze for a moment, bringing her hand up to cover a small grin. “Mrs. Dowerly says you will be very upset, but I told her you would understand.”

Emma pushed her desert around in the crystal bowl, pretending to eat rather than invade on Lady Sophia’s confession. Though, in truth, she was riveted. What could the small girl have done?

The duke nodded, his gaze on his daughter. “Tell me what happened.”

“Well, you see, I never meant to upset Miss Farthington.” Sophia reached for her glass.

“What has your governess to do with it?” The duke’s eyebrows knitted together.

“Everything, I am afraid.” Lady Sophia gave a coquettish look.

“How so?”

Lady Sophia brushed a golden curl from her cheek. “I only meant to play a joke when I put the frog in her shoe.”

“You put a frog in Miss Farthington’s shoe?” The duke chuckled.

Sophia smirked. “I did, however, Miss Farthington found no amusement in it. She packed her bags and left.” Sophia had the good sense to look ashamed. “She said I would have to get a new governess. One who did not mind unruly girls who belonged in barns rather than estate houses.”

The duke’s face flamed, his eyes fairly glowing.

Emma’s throat grew tight with worry. Lady Sophia had not done anything out of the norm for a child her age. Surely the duke did not mean to punish her. She caught the Lady Sophia’s gaze and offered a sympathetic smirk.

“Your Grace, if I may say something in Lady Sophia’s defense.”

The duke turned to Emma. “My daughter needs no defending.” His tone cut through her like shards of broken glass.

“But surely you can see how wrong this Miss Farthington was to act in such a way.” Emma stared into his eyes, besieging him. When the ire faded from their blue depth and humor took root, she arched a brow in confusion. Was he laughing at her?

“I am not at all cross with Sophia. It is the governess whose neck I’d like to wring. The nerve of the woman…speaking to my daughter in such a way.”

“Truly, Daddy?” Lady Sophia sprung from her chair, going to the duke’s side.

“Truly.” He scouted his chair away from the table, then pulled Lady Sophia onto his lap. “You are a gem, Poppet. I did far worse things as a boy then put a frog in someone’s shoe, and you would have to do far worse to incite my anger as well.” He tapped her nose with his finger tip and she giggled.

Sobering, Lady Sophia said, “But I do not have a governess now?”

“I will find you a new one. A better, kinder, and smarter governess.” The duke brushed the curls away from the girl’s forehead. “One who deserves the honor of your company.”

Emma’s heart melted at the tender scene and an idea formed in her mind. She could be Lady Sophia’s governess. How wonderful it would be to stay here and spend her time with the girl. Her heart seemed to lighten as she smiled at the duke.

“Your Grace, might I have a word with you…in private?” Emma asked, for she had no wish to excite the girl when she had no idea whether or not the duke would accept her in the position.

He nodded then dropped a kiss on Lady Sophia’s head. “Off with you. I will be by to tuck you in later.”

The girl smiled and jumped from his lap. “I am counting on it, Daddy,” she said, as she made her way out of the dining room.

The duke retrieved his wine glass, then settled back in his chair. “You have my attention, Miss Baxter.”

“I did not want to back you against a corner by mentioning anything infant of Lady Sophia.” She blinked causing her eyelashes to flutter.

“Go on.” The duke notched his chin.

“I could not help but hear that she needs a new governess. I am an educated woman who happens to find the lady delightful and am in need of employment.” She bestowed a bright smile on him. “I would be honored to fill the position, Your Grace.”

“You have experience as a governess?” The duke studied her, caution etched in the fine lines around his eyes.

“Well, no, not exactly.” She rushed to continue. “Though I am well versed in arithmetic, literature, and science, as well as dance and needlepoint…. To name a few things. And I am confident in my abilities.” Emma fought the urge to fiddle with her skirts as she remained focused on the duke. “Do say you will allow me the chance to prove myself.”

His Grace massaged the back of his neck, his eyes closing for a moment before meeting her gaze again. “It is late. Let us revisit the possibility in the morning.”

Emma’s heart sank, but what could she do? It would serve no purpose to argue with him. She nodded. “As you wish, Your Grace.”