The Nanny & The Ice King

e'd started working at the Pierce estate, and though she'd made some small progress

little emotional interest. Lily was not just shy-she was **withdrawn**, locked away in a shell made of years of careless

a small hand wrapped tightly around a soft bear. Lily

smiling. "We might even walk in the gardens.

s wrapped around her own more tig

travel very far. Just a little

at she was saying anything at all-a v

a schedul

y, his presence changing the atmosphere. His gray eyes flashed,

back, rising to her feet. "A little fresh ai

stability. I'm not going to expose her to the uncertainty of being

air is not a **disruption**-it's a necessity of being human. You can't j

ve my reasons, Miss Carter. Re

do** need to know. Because I was brought in to help Lily, and fro

avy, oppres

something unseen. A flash of something in his steel-gray eyes. Regret? Anger? Gui

id, the voice cold. "She keeps t

, trying to calm down. "

ed an eyebro

ily outside of your schedule. One hour where she gets to **just be a kid.** If sh

ts tightly clenched around the stuffed bear. And then, after

utes," he s

sed her arm

five mi

d her hea

. Then finally- "Fine. Fifty

ed victoriou

g glance. "If you cross any lines, Miss Carter, you'

ntimidated. She

beside her on her haunches. "What do yo

e first time since Sienna arriv

ly noticeable. But

as enough

-

e in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of te

're

ing in the doorway, his gaze upon

eyebrow. "And y

ut the smirk never happened. "I don't

who thinks parenting is a control issue

roze. "You believe I d

to look after her," Sienna ans

spot, but he leaned against the doorway,

doorway and straightened his tie. "

off, leaving Sienna standing there with her tea, s

to be more difficult