Shev Read Online Free Page A

safe.”
    “Why can’t they learn French?”
    Shev lifted a brow, appreciating the girl’s tactic, but cringing at the selfishness of it.
    “Lord Shevington’s staff is very busy. Their duties don’t allow them enough time to learn a new language.”
    “He shouldn’t make them work so hard.”
    He . Another one of Jacqueline’s acts of defiance. She never referred to him as Father or Papa. Only he or sir.
    In truth, Shev didn’t mind. He certainly didn’t feel like a father. If the girl didn’t look so damned much like him, he would question her paternity.
    “To whom are you referring?” the governess asked. When Jacqueline said nothing, Miss Crawford announced, “No ice today, then.”
    Jacqueline emitted a noise that sounded a great deal like a wounded boar—right before the schoolroom door swung open.
    The weight of his body propelled him forward. He grasped the frame of the door a mere second before he plowed into the governess.
    “Oh, my lord!”
    He straightened, scrambling for a legitimate reason for eavesdropping. When nothing came to light, he simply ignored the obvious. “Miss Crawford, my apologies for startling you. I came up to see if you and Jacqueline would like to take luncheon with us below.”
    Glancing over her shoulder, she motioned for him to step back so she could join him in the corridor. She closed the door behind her and led them a short distance away. “I don’t think that would be a good idea, my lord.”
    “If you’re still concerned about your virtue, my mother will be in attendance.”
    “I no longer fear you’ll act in an ungentlemanly way toward me. You—and your mother—have convinced me that you will honor your word.”
    It was a good thing the governess could not read minds. She would have known the exact moment his thoughts no longer matched his gentlemanly actions.
    Something about this unassuming woman compelled him to listen for her voice when he passed by a room, look for her coiffed head during a gathering, and strain for the smallest whiff of her delicate scent when nearby. As he did now.
    He had kept company with far more visually stimulating women, but never had he been so aware of their existence. His growing preoccupation with the governess had to stem from her desire to be around him as little as possible. Most ladies of his acquaintance tried to suffocate him with their nearness and nonsensical prattle.
    “I’m glad to hear it.” He moved back a fraction more. “If you’re not concerned about your good name, I can only assume propriety makes you hesitate.”
    “That and—”
    “If you have not yet noticed, my mother runs this household in a less-than-conventional manner. I am only surprised she has not yet insisted you join us before now.”
    The Marchioness of Shevington ensured she never forgot about her humble beginnings. Once or twice a year, she invited her childhood friends to Shevington House for dinner and the latest gossip. Tradesmen, maids, physicians, shopkeepers, and even a known pickpocket had dined at his table.
    “My main concern,” Miss Crawford said, “is Jacqueline’s withdrawal.”
    “From what?”
    “Everything English. She’s convinced someone will come for her and take her back to France.” Her attention shifted to his shoulder a moment before settling back on his face. “Has no one explained the situation to her?”
    Shev didn’t know the answer to her question.
    The only information he had was a five-page letter from Giselle. She went into great detail as to the reasons why she had sent Jacqueline to him. One of which was her desire for Jacqueline to have the benefit of a strong father. She claimed to have seen through his rakish façade and knew him to be as honorable as her father. Another reason was the unstable political climate in France. Even though her parents had strong ties to Napoleon, Giselle believed Jacqueline would be safer in England.
    But Giselle had mentioned nothing of what she told her