Anna’s chest tightened. It was the one thing she did not want to happen. She had learned the hard way what happened when she forgot the responsibilities due to someone in her position. “Lord Greyley, while I appreciate your kindness, I am not arriving at your house as a guest. I am coming as a paid employee, and I will thank you to remember that.”

His gaze glinted darkly. “Afraid I’ll attempt to kiss you again?”

“Of course not,” she said, her cheeks heating. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“You don’t know what I would dare. And where you are concerned, it appears that I don’t either.” He turned to the door. “I will leave you to make your arrangements. The carriage will be here in the morning.”

Moments later, the earl’s carriage could be heard rumbling down the street. Anna reached blindly for the arm of the nearest chair and sank into the lumpy seat.

Sweet heavens, what had she agreed to? For the next three or four months or longer, she would be in close proximity to the one man in all England who had the ability to make her forget herself and her station. It was madness. Especially after…She stood, pushing the unwanted memories away. There was no use in reliving the past. It could not be undone.

Whatever she did, she would be damned if she’d let her unruly feelings get in the way of plain, ordinary common sense. Propriety must be addressed on all occasions, which left no room for any other emotion, not even simple friendship. Even that, she knew, could be fatal.

Meanwhile, she had plenty to keep her occupied. If she was successful in this venture, she stood to make a nice profit, one that she and Grandpapa desperately needed, and her reputation as a governess would indeed be set. All she had to do was calm the children and bring some order to Greyley’s nursery. Yet simple as that sounded, Anna knew she’d just accepted the most difficult challenge of her life. Sighing, she went in search of Grandpapa.

Chapter 5

Anna Thraxton has the nose and the air of a Roman Caesar. Both have kept her from making an eligible match.

Miss Devonshire to Miss Prudhomme, while shopping on Bond Street

Sleep was impossible. First there had been bags to pack and then there were arrangements to be made for Grandpapa. To Anna’s surprise, he took the news of her new position at Greyley House without comment. He even allowed her to dash off a missive to their cousin, Lady Dandry, asking if she could come for a visit while Anna was gone. Grandpapa usually complained loudly about having to spend time with cousin Elmira, but this time he merely shrugged.

It was late when Anna finally went to bed. But not to rest. The quiet worked against her, and the memory of Greyley’s kiss again intruded on her thoughts. Once there, her mind stopped and lingered, dwelling on the moment in far more detail than necessary.