Mr. Gardiner and the Governess (Clairvoir Castle Romances #1)

by Sally Britton

Rupert rarely interacted with the fairer members of his species for a reason. He had seen more than one Society miss latch onto a gentleman the way a female Mantis religiosa latched onto her mate before eating him. Not that a gentlewoman would literally eat him. But the figurative devouring of his life, his person, his time, and his funds, kept him from fully trusting the women who sent flirtatious smiles his way.

Eating at a table full of ladies and lords did not exactly intimidate her. She had grown up a member of the gentry, taking her meals at the dining tables of her relatives. Her family had expected Alice to make herself interesting enough to entertain their guests, without being too forward as to draw attention to herself. But the idea of sitting at the table of an employer, someone not expected to keep her on if she made a mistake, struck her differently.

Kissing a woman over her compassionate behavior toward frogs would be illogical.

At his age, she had already learned to rarely be seen and never heard. She had already learned to keep her tears to herself, lest she upset people around her. Perhaps all orphans had to learn those lessons.

For the first time, in Rupert Gardiner’s company, she had felt beautiful.

Thankfully, he had the entire summer to work upon gaining her affection. Despite their relatively brief acquaintance, he knew she was special. He could feel it in his heart and soul.

It was only natural, he supposed, that when a man found a woman of such talent and intelligence that he must find all aspects of her lovely and becoming.

“You could always pretend the ladies are insects,” she said, her playful smile returning. “You might spend the evening cataloging them and their behavior, all in the name of science.”