Oh, Cherry Ripe

by Claudy Conn

  She had asked Francine to find her a shawl, and the child had gladly brought her one of her sister Mary’s—a very finely knit off-white shawl that she slung around her shoulders, hoping it would tone down the sensuality of her gown.

  Thurston opened the library door for her as he had been instructed and gently announced her presence before he quietly withdrew and closed the door after him. Cherry folded her hands together and let them rest at her waist as she met his lordship’s gaze. What eyes he had … deep, dark blue like the ocean …

  Even in the dim light they seemed to glitter. How sensuous were his lips … those lips that had so recently kissed her. What was he thinking? Stop it Cherry, what are you thinking!

  “Well, and though you look …” His gaze swept over her, lingering over her full breasts and then over her nipples protruding through the silk. “… ravishing, you do not look the part you presently play.”

  “Nevertheless, I think I can play it,” she answered immediately.

  “And is that what you are doing—playing a part?” He had moved closer to her, and as she stepped back, her shawl fell and was only held in place by her bent arms. Their eyes met.

  “Isn’t that something we all do from time to time?” she answered. She was enjoying herself immensely. Three London seasons had taught her self-assurance and how to conduct a lively banter.

  “Don’t play at semantics with me. I want answers now,” he returned sharply.

  “Do you? Then, you must give me the questions.” She was pert and just a touch annoyed. What if she had to make her way through life as a governess and be subject to this sort of thing simply because she was young and attractive? Her eyes challenged him.

  He looked her over once more, and she felt his attraction seep through his attitude; however, he frowned at her. “Right then, have a seat, and I will put those questions to you.”

  She took up the ladies’ chair near the fire and folded her hands in her lap, demurely waiting. He came to tower over her but decided instead to pull up a chair and place it near her so that he was facing her.

  “Very well, I shall come to the point. When we met, you were fleeing London, for reasons of your own, and going to your nanny…” He hesitated, and she immediately urged him on.

  “Yes …?”

  “I suppose you did not then know you were to take on a position of governess?”

  “No. I only knew I had to get to Polly,” she answered softly. As many truths as she could give him, she decided. It was so difficult to remember lies.

  “How then did you come to be at Bromley?”

  “Your man, Mr. Trekner, came to enlist my Polly to be governess to the twins. She could not oblige, but I could,” Cherry answered simply.

  “Hold old did you say you were?”

  “I am one and twenty,” she answered easily

  “You don’t look it. Why, you look—” he started.

  “Old enough to kiss,” she stuck in. Eyeing him naughtily, she felt an excitement she had never felt before. Here was the man she had been dreaming about ever since he had kissed her.

  She had shocked him silent, but he recovered. “That was quite different!”

  “Was it?” She tilted her pretty head. “Explain, my lord … in what way was it different then?”

  “Never mind.” He waved it off testily.

  “Right, my age, then, is no longer in question,” she returned promptly. “What then is?”

  “Your experience,” he retorted in a superior tone, thinking he had her now.

  “Ah, I must say, I have none. I have had an extensive education, however, and I do so like children, but if you feel that perhaps you need someone else, someone with experience, well then, I shall leave.”

  She had called him out, and now she was surprised to find her heart so very afraid of what he might do.

  * * *

  She had called him to action—and therein lay the problem. The children seemed to like her, and they needed a governess. He simply could not leave them to the servants, who weren’t equipped to give them lessons or had the time to look after them properly.

  However, how could he have her underfoot … looking as she did? He had thought of little else since he had dropped her off at Miss Corbett’s. He was a grown man and damn well in control of his manhood which was presently throbbing inside his breeches. He did not allow that to lead him about … but damn, this lovely creature stirred his loins.

  He would have to let her stay on for now.

  He shouldn’t stay at Bromley long—rumors would fly—and he would have to do something about her wardrobe. Her clothes were not suitable for a governess. Damn, but he rather thought she would be seductive in burlap. He was going to have to keep his distance from the minx.

  “No, I don’t think you should leave, but we have to establish some ground rules.”

  “Such as?”

  “Appropriate attire, for one. You will go into town as soon as you can and charge some gowns more in keeping with your station.” He felt the frown on his face and tried to dispense with it, but then his eyes strayed to her breasts, up her neckline to her beautiful face, and he felt momentarily at a loss to go on.

  “Thank you. I shall do that. What other rules?”

  “We will talk about the other rules at another time.” He leaned into her and smiled suddenly. “The twins do like you, and I believe children do learn more from someone they can like and admire.”

  She started to her feet. “Thank you. If you will excuse me, I will go up to have dinner with them now.”

  “No, I asked them to have dinner with Freddy and me while I am here at Bromley, and there is no reason for you to eat alone. You shall of course, join us.” What was he doing? What was only right, polite. Yes, but what was he doing?

  His eyes met her deep aqua blues, and he watched as her dark lashes swept her cheek shyly. It occurred to him that she was the most exquisite creature he had ever encountered.

  * * *

  Three mornings later, Cherry stood in the kitchen pleading her case with a large woman who was full of warmth and motherly tendencies. She was called ‘Cook’ by the staff and didn’t seem to go by any other name.

  “But, dear Cook … they have no mother to care for them … poor little ducklings …”

  “Look here, Miss Sarah. These things must go. They are forever escaping the crate I set up for them, making a mess in their water dish … I jest don’t have the time for them.”

  “But, Cook, the twins do so love them … and it will be good for them to care for them and watch them grow. It is such a dangerous world out there for them …”

  “Still … enough is enough … I …”

  “I have it … here just outside in the breezeway. I made a pen to keep them safe, and I put a large tin tub into the ground for them to swim in … it will do until I can get Mr. Tom to build them a proper place!” Freddy announced, stepping into the kitchen from the back garden door.

  Cherry clapped her hands together. She went to take Freddy’s hands and saw him blush to the roots of his fair hair. “Freddy … aren’t you wonderful!”

  At the wide doorway to the kitchen his lordship came to an abrupt halt. Cherry saw him out of the corner of her eye and wondered what was wrong, as he looked supremely irritated. Did he not like ducklings?

  He stepped into the room and said, “What is all this about ducks?”

  “The ducklings you must have noticed the day you first arrived … in my shawl … well, not really my shawl but Mary’s, and I am terribly sorry but it must be ruined and I shall have to purchase her another—”

  He put up a hand. “Let us return to the subject of ducks.” His eyes strayed to his brother, who avoided his gaze, and then back to Cherry as she moved towards him.

  “They are orphans and will die or be eaten if we leave them to fend for themselves.” She wrung her hands together. “And Freddy here has constructed a temporary habitat for them.”

  He seemed to Cherry to size
up the situation in quick degree as he turned to his brother and said, “Has he? I never knew you had an interest in … building.”

  “Perhaps you have never taken the time to know very much about me.” Freddy’s tone was cold.

  Cherry looked from brother to brother. She had assumed from their behavior at dinner Sky’s first night home that their ‘talk’ had not gone well. She picked up the slack and drew the attention to herself. “The point being that they certainly shall not be underfoot, and it will be a wonderful situation for the children …” She was all too aware that the moment he had arrived on the scene, her breath had departed her. She felt a certain dimness of mind and a sure heat of blood. She found herself staring into his dark blue eyes and discovered he was ‘not’ immune to her either.

  “Very well … since Frederick has gone to the trouble of building them a place where they will not be under Cook’s feet …”

  She jumped with pleasure and took his two hands in hers. “Thank you, my lord …” For a moment their eyes locked, and she was sure he felt the rush of desire that swept through her body. She was sure he wanted her, because his eyes filled with an expression her London seasons had taught her to understand, but this time, for the first time, she returned the look …

  Cook gathered the four ducklings into a basket and shoved the basket at Freddy. “There now … in yer care they are.”

  Freddy took them and started for the door, turned back, and told Cherry, “I’ll just get them settled in their new home. I have some grain there as well waiting for them.”

  “Oh Freddy, aren’t you wonderful. You have thought of everything.” Cherry beamed and turned back to his lordship, who had reached to touch her arm to regain her attention. It was like a bolt of lightening that sped through her—brought her to life, instead of striking her unconscious. She felt taken—she felt connected, and then she saw that he felt it too.

  He looked almost stunned, but he cleared his throat and said, “The twins—have you managed to get them ready?”

  “Yes. They are only just out front playing hide and seek,” she answered softly.

  “Playing … they shouldn’t be playing and getting dirty when I asked you to have them ready to leave with me,” he returned roughly.

  “Yes, my lord.” She smiled sweetly, though she wanted to kick him in the shins. “But it is nearly half past the hour, and you can’t have two such lively children sitting on their thumbs if you are going to be so very late, which you are—so very late.”

  She had turned the matter around on him, and she could see he didn’t like it. She could also see that his sense of fairness considered her words.

  “I see,” he answered and walked out of the kitchen to find the twins.

  However, they had already come in search of him, and they appeared rosy-cheeked and out of breath, both of them smiling. He grinned. “Ready, monkeys?” He laughed and ruffled Felix’s hair, and it was obvious he was genuinely pleased to find them so happy.

  “Been ready, my lord brother.” Francine giggled teasingly and went to take Cherry’s hand. “You had better fetch your Spencer, though, Miss Sarah. It is brrr”—she hugged herself for emphasis—“cold outside.”

  Apparently Francine had adopted quite a motherly attitude in regards to her governess, who then felt the heat in her cheeks and said, “Oh no, love. This outing is for you and Felix.” In her embarrassment, she had taken an unconscious step backward.

  At dinner each night, his lordship had made a few attempts to make certain she understood she was no more than a servant. She watched the frown spread across his face, but then Felix added his plea as well. “Come then, Miss Sarah … you will like it, I promise. Don’t be missy and silly. We want you there, and so does Sky.” He looked at his brother with a hint of encouragement both in his face and voice. “Don’t you, Sky?”

  “Yes, lad.” His lordship smiled at Felix. “Miss Sarah, you are most welcome to join us.”

  Cherry did not believe he really wanted her to. He seemed so standoffish, so entirely different than the rogue who had taken her into his arms on the way to Polly’s on her ‘runaway’ night. However, she actually did want to go with them and said brightly, “Thank you. You are most kind, my lord.”

  Freddy returned, and Francine ran to him, took his hand, and pulled him along, “We are going to the fair, Freddy, and you must join us.” She eyed him knowingly and said, “There’s a performing bear.”

  “Ah well, but although I have seen performing bears …one can never see enough of them,” he said and grinned wide.

  “I’ll just go fetch my cloak,” Cherry stuck in as she started out.

  “What, are you going to the fair as well?” Freddy inquired suddenly.

  “Yes,” she said, smiling at him.

  “Indeed … deuced entertaining, these performing bears. Think I will join, then,” Freddy said, smiling adoringly after her.

  “We must not miss a chance to see a performing bear, must we, Freddy?” His lordship grinned.

  Cherry looked over her shoulder and rescued him. “No … who could ever resist such a treat? Not I.”

  Freddy, still annoyed with his brother, looked across at him and mumbled something under his breath. Cherry was pleased that his lordship chose to ignore it.

  ~ Twelve ~

  EVERY TIME THE children or Freddy called her Miss Sarah, Cherry cringed inside. It was her mother’s names, both given and surname, that she was using. She hated the deception and made up her mind that at some opportune moment she would tell them the truth. She simply couldn’t allow the situation to go on under false pretenses. However, she didn’t want to leave just yet, for the children’s sake, and therein lay the problem.

  If his lordship found out—well, that would be quite another thing, for he would certainly send her off and back to her stepmama the instant she confessed, and that would hurt the children more than her. She had come to realize suddenly that her behavior was not only outrageous but had dire consequences that touched others as well as her. She was deeply ashamed of herself.

  At some point, she would have to call an end to the charade. She hoped when she confessed all, she would return to a forgiving stepmama who would not try and force her into marriage, for that was something she would not accept, ever.

  Time was not on her side. However, the children—everyone, actually—seemed to be enjoying the fair, and she decided to put off these decisions until another time.

  The fair was a wonderful place of ‘make believe’ and a collection of all sorts of individuals bent on shopping for reasonable wares, quick and easy food, fortunetellers, and animals not often encountered in their daily lives.

  The aromas of delicious pies wafted their way. Swings invited them to play, and every other booth displayed enchanting toys for sale—and they saw not one monkey, but two, and many eye-catching things to fascinate children and adults alike. Tents were set up, hawkers called out from their tables made of wooden crates while bakers held up their goods, and the twins were drawn to everything all at once.

  A performing bear delighted them all and proved to be the highlight of the day when he stood and roared at the crowd. The excitement carried them all along, and even Freddy and his lordship began exchanging amiable quips and banter.

  Francine suddenly pointed. “Sky, oh Sky … sugar treats… please!”

  Her brother smiled, flipped her a coin, and told the twins affectionately not to get lost.

  A group of Freddy’s cronies appeared and surrounded him, wanting to know when he had returned, and he was lost to them for the moment but called out to his older brother, “Take care of our treasure till I return, brother!”

  Skyler grinned ruefully and called out, “Treasure, indeed,” even as he put a hand to the back of Cherry’s black velvet cloak and led her along.

  She stopped and turned to look up at him. “That is very rude, but I daresay ’tis true that quality such as yourself might not think a member of the poorer class have any feeling
s.” She was having a jolly good time and enjoyed the stricken look that covered his face.

  He answered immediately. “I beg your pardon. I did not mean it as a slur. I was simply trying to bring my young brother to order. His … interest in you is far too marked to be tolerable.”

  “For either of us, but I rather think his … er interest, as you put it, is just that, and only for the moment. It will pass in due time.”

  “As to not thinking of the concerns of those less fortunate, you don’t know me and cannot reasonably make such a statement, for it is blatantly untrue.” He sighed. “And speaking of which, I must ask you to remember, Miss Sarah Parker, that I am not a fool. I don’t know anything about your family, which by the way is extremely irregular, but I do know you did not spring from the unknown and mean streets of London.” He put up a hand to stall her retort. “Are we clear on this?”

  “Perhaps. We shall see.” She avoided eye contact because she knew hers were alive with laughter. She could see she had made him uncomfortable, which was precisely what she wished to do.

  “We shall see? Do you believe, really believe, I mistreat those less fortunate than I?” He shook his head. “I take exception to it … and you, Miss Parker, you must admit to me, did not come from the ‘poorer classes’, so then, please do not pitch your gammon at me.”

  He’s clever, and how neatly he turned that around. She said, “And yet, I am a governess.”

  “A mysterious one at that. Your speech, your walk, your manners and style denote your higher station, yet …”

  “Yet, I am a governess.”

  “I could say perhaps your family has fallen on hard times, but I already know you left them in the middle of the night—supposedly running away from your stepfather.”

  “Ah, I am surprised you remember that … you seem to have forgotten other events of the evening.” Again her eyes twinkled at him, and she could see a light of appreciation in his own dark blues.