Linda Goodnight - The Nanny and the Millionaire

His glittering eyes narrowed sharply over her. ‘I suppose it’s just possible it was protecting a nest.’

‘That fact had occurred to me,’ she said tartly, suddenly reckless.

‘So you weren’t hooning around after all. You were taking evasive action.’ He laughed again. ‘I promise I won’t tell anyone about this.’

‘I wish I could be sure about that.’

His eyes came back to hold hers. ‘Didn’t you hear the word promise?’

Lord but this man made her feel vulnerable. And, what was a great deal more dangerous, very much a woman. If she was going to stay on as Georgia’s governess she would have to learn how to handle it. ‘I was scared it was going to come after me. Don’t laugh. I hit a deep rut and lost control of the wheel for a minute or two. By the time I managed to get it back again, the ute was hurtling towards the gully with a mind of its own. The mud locked around the wheels like cement.’

‘Well, you were lucky,’ he said. ‘I suppose the real question is, what are you doing out here?’

He couldn’t help himself. His gaze was drawn to her mouth, so soft and cushiony, beautifully shaped A mouth for kissing.

It made Marissa so nervous she slid the tip of her tongue around her lips to moisten them.

Holt almost let out a sigh. She should be very grateful he was such a gentleman. ‘I thought I hired you as the governess, teaching the children their lessons, supervising their play, stuff like that?’

Her white skin flushed. ‘Olly is looking in on them while I’m away. I’ve given them things to do. I drove out here because Georgy wants to shift out of her bedroom and join us in the west wing.’

‘Is that a fact?’ He might have sounded teasing, but inside he felt pretty heated. Did she know everything about her was charming him?

‘Well … yes.’

‘And you drove all the way out here to ask me if it’s okay?’

‘Was there someone else I should ask?’

‘Now, now, Ms Devlin!’ His clipped tones became a deep taunting, ‘Don’t totally forget yourself. The idea is to act respectful.’

Of course it was! She picked up a pebble and hurled it at the water, finding some satisfaction in seeing it bounce several times across the surface. ‘Believe me I’m trying. You’re Georgy’s father. The person I should consult. Her aunt Lois is very much against it.’

‘Well, that’s par for the course!’ He fell back on his elbow, his long, lean body faultlessly arranged. ‘All that money and imagination squandered! I suppose Georgy lost no time making her demands?’

Marissa shrugged her shoulders, amazed she was sitting on the banks of an Outback billabong with one of the nation’s cattle barons resting nonchalantly beside her, even if he was making infuriating little comments. ‘She’s set on it, but it’s not really a bad idea. I can keep a better eye on her and you may have noticed she’s taken a great liking to Riley.’

‘And you,’ he said, ‘for which I’m immensely relieved. Out of nowhere, on the face of it, the answer to my fervent prayers! Are you feeling any better?’

What kind of answer could she give? That she was feeling excited, nearly breathless as if something extraordinary was about to happen. There was such a charge in the air. It was dangerously worrying. Things seemed to be moving very fast. She slicked a stray curl away from her cheek. ‘I’m fine,’ she announced which wasn’t strictly true. ‘Right now I’m worried about the ute.’

‘Don’t be,’ he said, slamming a door on his own unruly thoughts. ‘We’ll get it out of there for you. Meanwhile I’d best get you back to your duties.’ He stood up in one lithe movement, holding out a hand to her.

Panic shot through her at the thought of renewed contact.

How stupid am I?

But he released her quickly.

She gave herself another moment to be sure her voice wouldn’t betray her. ‘Thank you for rescuing me,’ she said, ‘although I think I could have walked to your camp.’

He frowned. ‘I’d prefer you not to do that when I’m not around.’ It was definitely an order, even if it was fairly gently couched.

‘Whatever you say.’ As they walked up the grassy slope, she began to laugh softly. ‘Did you really think I was acting wildly?’ She mightn’t be the best driver in the world but she was careful, considerate, not given to manic bursts.

‘I have to say I was surprised,’ he admitted, further seduced by the sound of her laughter.

‘And Georgy? I have the go-ahead?’

‘To do what?’ He stopped abruptly, staring down at her. She had to know how desirable she was, the effect she had on men.

The hard note in his voice utterly confused her. His eyes were as black as night, brilliant but fathomless. It was one of those moments that seemed to go on forever. ‘Why, shift her things to the west wing!’ she explained. Every nerve in her body felt wired.

He nodded curtly and walked on. ‘If that’s what she wants.’

‘You love your daughter?’

He broke his stride. ‘Excuse me, Ms Devlin? You ask me that and think you can get away with it?’

Had she cast off all common sense like a rope? ‘Forgive me,’ she apologised, ‘of course you do. It’s just … sometimes you sound a little remote.’

‘You’ve really been studying me, haven’t you?’ he asked.

Why was that strange? He had been studying her.

‘I like to get a picture of people,’ she said.

‘So do I. To help you out, I’m tough on the outside, Ms Devlin. Any other questions?’

She was quiet for a moment. ‘Do you mind if I do something to brighten up the schoolroom?’ She was jogging now just to keep up with him. He had work to do. He wanted to be rid of her.

‘What do you have in mind, posters, billowing sails, bunting?’

‘What about a lick of paint?’ she countered. ‘It wouldn’t cost you too much.’

Her little show of bravado dissolved as he turned to face her, so tall she felt pint-sized when she wasn’t. ‘Just see you don’t,’ he said, sounding dead set serious.

‘I beg your pardon?’ She could feel herself flush.

‘Don’t you cost me any trouble,’ he said.

For a moment she felt as though her mind had seized up. ‘I hardly know what you mean.’ Not true. She knew they had connected day one.

He shook his head. ‘I think you do.’

She deemed it best to remain silent. Better silent than try to grapple with the fact they had made that connection. Made it on sight. It really did cloud things when she needed everything to be perfectly clear.

How many men has she slept with? Holt thought as he drove her back to the homestead. How many have touched her flawless white skin with insolent hands, intent on their own pleasure. Who was the man or boy who had seduced her?

He felt an impotent anger that shocked him. It wasn’t often he was disturbed by his own behaviour, but he was now. He had to question exactly why he had hired her, sympathy for her situation, liking for the boy? Or was it because of the beauty of her, the unexpectedness of her, like a white rose growing on a sand dune. Already she had alienated Lois who was certain to report to Tara. Not that he gave a damn about that, but it could bring Tara back to Wungalla—the last thing he wanted. There had been the small matter of finding a governess for Georgy, of course, but an agency could have sent him a competent young woman who didn’t attract attention to herself unlike the blossoming Ms Devlin.

His mind continued to wander. She had fallen pregnant at age what, fifteen? Scarcely more than a child. He was ready to believe it had been against her will. She was so innocent looking, yet despite that so powerfully alluring, there were bound to have been men following her with hot, desirous eyes. Hadn’t he threatened Pearson with instant dismissal if he even so much as glanced again in her direction? He imagined what life would have been like for her, a young girl, saddled with a child. What had happened to her lover after he had so callously dishonoured her? What of her family, the father she spoke of? She was well spoken, well educated, with the unmistakable look of good blood. Was her story much worse than his imaginings? What was she doing out here really? Trying to lose herself and the boy, on the run from some man? It was the kind of nightmare many women and children faced. Any such predator would be a fool to venture into his world after them. On Wungalla they were safe.