Page 41 of His One and Only Lady

Theran merely made a noise in his throat, his attention on the innocent, alluring sway of her hips as Purity departed.

“God above, what have I done?” he mumbled to himself.

A horse in a nearby stall whinnied…a distinctly mocking horsey laugh.

Only after Purity had disappeared from sight did Theran remember he’d never asked her to correct Bernadine about the impossibility of her becoming his wife.

I regret the nature of our parting, Miss Mayfield. My children are quite devastated. Despite what you may think, I love them, and their grief pains me.

Toward that end, I intend to forward their addresses to you once they are settled in school. I would count it a personal favor if you corresponded with them. They adore you, and I believe you also hold them in great affection.

After a tour of the continent with my sister, I intend to make Petherwick Court my permanent residence. I shall ensure your belongings and wages owed, in addition to a well-deserved bonus, are forwarded to your new lodgings. I have also provided you with a letter of reference.

Please respond with your address at your earliest convenience.

~Odelia Bardslay, Viscountess Ceddes,

to Miss Purity Mayfield in a hastily

scribbled note while waiting for the coach

to carry her family from Mottford Hall

Path from the stables to the Mottford Hall terrace

Five minutes later

Purity couldn’t keep the bounce from her step as she hurried back to the house. She had no idea what had changed Mr. Rutland’s mind about hiring her as Bernadine’s governess, but it was an answer to prayer, to be sure.

True, Purity knew little about Theran Rutland: he loved his daughter; he was intimidating when angry; his name had set Viscount Ceddes to quaking.

And he has strapping legs, arms like iron, devilish blue eyes, and he smells heavenly.

The unsolicited thought slashed into her musings as she marched along, stirring undecipherable yearning. Mayhap she understood Athena Sommerville’s infatuation the merest bit.

Not that Purity was enamored. She was not.

Only a nitwit permitted her feelings to become engaged in a futile, fruitless unrequited fascination. Merely days ago, Mr. Rutland had accused her of being a gossip and a liar.

Regardless, his aunt held him in the highest regard, and the countess was the epitome of kindness and decency. If the position turned out to be an impossible fit, if Purity and Mr. Rutland didn’t suit, she still had Chasity’s invitation to fall back on as well as applying for a position at Balderbrook’s Institution for Genteel Ladies.

A tiny jolt of sadness impinged upon her happiness as she strode the path.

She had wanted to attend Chasity’s wedding to Aston Terramier and Mercy’s to Ronan Brockman. But it had been infeasible. Not only had the Ceddes never given her more than half a day off at any given time, but this house party was also the last time she’d see the children she’d cared for these past eight years.

She’d miss the Bardslay children, but she had a new charge now. An energetic, intelligent, strong-minded, but sweet-natured little girl. With an impossibly handsome, enigmatic widower for a father.

A smile teasing her lips, Purity slipped into the house. In short order, she entered her bedchamber, removed her bonnet, and hung it up on a hook. A closed valise sat upon one of the other beds.

A roommate had arrived while she’d been in the stables.

Standing before the small cheval mirror, she pinned a few unruly curls back into her knot as she stared at her countenance. She’d never given much consideration to her parentage or her appearance.

Hands on her hips, she took an impartial assessment. Her mouth was a bit too small, and her nose a trifle too long. A nice slope to her cheekbones, but her chin was a smidgeon too bold. All in all, her eyes were her best features. Still, in comparison to Athena Sommerville and the other beauties she’d seen at the house party, Purity was only passably pretty.

Had she inherited her green eyes from her mother or father?

Her height?