Read Online Rules of Surrender by Christina Dodd - Free Book Online

lines between his brows. His feet were bare, his shirt was open and, without collar or waistcoat, his hair looked as if he’d been using his fingers to comb it, his scar sliced his cheek, and that earring…
    Exotic. He looked exotic. That was the real reason why she avoided taking breakfast with Wynter and the children in the mornings. For her, he embodied all that was exotic, unattainable and desirable.
    Hastily she averted her gaze. ”My lord, how good to see you.“
    ”You’re not lookin’ at him,“ Leila observed from her perch in his arms.
    ”That saying is just a courtesy.“ Charlotte thought that a reasonable explanation, but by now she should have known better. The children were literal—at least in the English language.
    ”Why would you say something that is not true?“ Robbie asked.
    ”Yes, Lady Miss Charlotte, why would you?“ Wynter echoed.
    She knew he was laughing at her. At her, and at everything noble and honorable and British. Swiveling, she looked him right in the eyes and said, ”Courtesy eases situations that might otherwise end in misunderstanding, hurt feelings and even bloodshed. I cannot believe that even in the far reaches of El Bahar courtesy is not observed.“
    ”As usual, Lady Miss Charlotte, you are correct. The courtesies are very important in El Bahar, especially that courtesy which I find so lacking in England.“
    ”What might that be?“ she asked.
    ”Tolerance.“ Before she could think of a retort, he smiled on his children. ”Fruit of my loins, what treat has your teacher planned for you?“
    ”Supper on the terrace.“ Leila took his head in her hands and turned it so he looked at her. ”Papa, please say you’ll eat with us.“
    Wynter cupped Robbie’s cheek in his palm. ”I prayed you would ask. Does your governess acquiesce?“
    As if she could reject her employer.
    But that wasn’t fair. He had done the polite thing. He had requested the lady’s permission to join in their meal, and few employers considered the governess enough of a lady to consult her wishes. So Wynter had shown more courtesy than most men of his station. Despite his strange appearance.
    It was just that… the thought of eating with him set her teeth on edge.
    Wynter seemed to have too much. Too much self-assurance, too much comeliness, too much of that air that staked a claim on any available woman should he desire. Not that he had indicated any interest in her since that first day, and that had clearly been a test. But just as her vexation in finding herself in Surrey was always there on the periphery of her awareness, so was her irritation with him.
    Like now, when he smiled at her quizzically. ”Lady Miss Charlotte?“
    ”I’ll go instruct the servants to set another place.“ She went at once toward the kitchen, setting her feet down firmly on the floor, a calm, professional, unshakable woman.
    As she passed the library, she heard Adorna call her. ”Lady Ruskin… Adorna… how good to see you back from London.“
    Adorna was shedding her traveling garments, her smile as fresh as ever. ”It’s a pleasure to be back. London is nothing but stews, gossip and parties.“ She hooked her arm through Charlotte’s and strolled with her toward the kitchen. ”A dreadful place. Do you miss it?“
    ”Not at all,“ Charlotte said.
    ”Because if you need more time to yourself, you need only ask. I understand you haven’t even taken your half day off.“
    A faint groundswell of panic swept Charlotte. ”These first months are vital to the children’s sense of security and will build their trust in me. I cannot indulge myself in frivolous pursuits.“
    ”I hardly think a half day every other week—“
    ”I have nowhere I wish to go,“ Charlotte said with finality.
    Adorna nodded slowly. ”I understand.“
    Worse luck, she probably did.
    ”I appreciate your care of Robbie and Leila,“ Adorna continued. ”I find them a trial, I admit, yet I see only too clearly how difficult this