The Aloof Count's Novice Governess

's presence, the children bolted up the stairs. When they re

down, pajamas laid ou

ed." "Brush your teeth, change into your paja

and snatched up her phone. She hadn't had a chance to play in a whil

d to be told to put the phone away, to ob

a story?" she asked, crouchin

mall shake

oy's voice was a fragile whisper,

first, let's brush our

y were inside, Helena, pretending to be absorbed in her game, watched the bathroom from the corner o

aria Clara helped Tho

rom the other nannies. There was a genuine

g?" she asked, her curiosity

t first, we're

ra

d. They had never prayed before.

with us, " Helena

it's boring if yo

a shr

g?" she asked, a flicker

t's very

it?" Thomas asked,

ounger than you are, Thomas." "First

diately followed suit, but Hel

ur hands toget

her palms together a

s day. Please make tomorrow better,

t?" Helen

I'll teach you the Lord's

ena admitted, "but we don

Clara

I'll teach

relieved it had

sing?" he a

you want to lis

irl n

sh your teeth first,

a Clara asked, seeing the girl tor

d help." "I'

ression shuttered, but it was clear she

ria Clara patiently and affectiona

ide by side on one bed, wit

eetness. It was an old lullaby, the kind of melody nearly lost to time

by little, the walls she kept so

He laid his head in her lap, and the music

t empty. It was a warm, full silence that settled over them like

long-neglected child. "You sing... pretty... " "Like... " Her expression drifted

t deep. Maria Clara breathed i

ly stroked his hair, and he finally gave in to sleep,

ul ache bloome

efeated by her own need. She moved closer, slowly lying down on the other side of

birds seeking warmth. She stroked one head and then the other, tracing light circles with

a soft knock ca

" she wh

d slowly, and

on the scene: Helena and Thomas, both shelt

ehind his gaze. His jaw tightened. His entire body seemed

a Clara whispered, surp

elegant coldness settling back over h

good night to

evoid of emotion. Not

ad

p. She scurried to her own bed and lay down, adjusting th

girl's head, a gesture so light it

touch, but her eyes shone wi

ight, H

ight...

omas, still asleep i

him to sleep before I co

he replied, fighting to

dded, his gaze h

ght, Mis

night,

second before turning away. Then

at the dark wood

p pain in him. A shadow he

l had pulled the blanket up over her face. But

s crying

After covering him, she went to Helena's bedside

hispered, pressing a soft kis

dering breaths she took spoke of a