Chapter 30
Even now, hiding her devious true nature behind the mask of a meek, well-mannered governess, she had the audacity to stand there looking perfectly composed.
Dominic swept a sharp gaze over the woman standing stiffly across the table.
‘Why is it that nothing with this woman ever goes the way I expect!?’
The emotions he had barely managed to suppress surged back up because of the woman who never failed to catch him off guard.
“I told you no. Don’t make me repeat myself. Persuade Chloe.”
“Pardon?”
“Convince her to start participating in society.”
“But at the time, Miss Chloe still—”
“Miss Vanderberg. Do you know why I hired you? You’re good with words, aren’t you? Convince her to start with a tea party.”
Looking troubled, Irene hesitated. She swallowed dryly before lifting her eyes. The moment she met the blue eyes fixed squarely on her, she instinctively shrank back. Even so, she steadied herself and spoke.
“I don’t think that’s possible. It seems my abilities fall short of Your Grace’s expectations, so I believe it’s best for me to resign.”
Watching her deliver the refusal with flawless composure, Dominic merely curled one corner of his mouth into a smile.
“Do you think I summoned you here just to listen to that nonsense?”
His voice dropped to a menacing tone as he rose from his chair and rounded the table. Unwilling to crane her neck to meet the gaze of the man who towered over her, Irene was just about to lower her eyes again when—
“Forget this talk about your abilities and just tell me the truth.”
By the time she realized it, Dominic had closed the distance between them. He seized her arm.
Startled, Irene looked up, her round eyes widening. He met them with a derisive gleam.
“You’re s-xually frustrated because I kept you from reading those trashy novels for a few days, aren’t you?”
“Wh-What?”
To have someone’s outward appearance and inner self differ this drastically… This woman seemed better suited to being a spy than a governess.
With that innocent face of hers, she might have had an extraordinary talent for charming all kinds of men and coaxing information out of them.
Unfortunately, his background investigation had come up spotless.
“N-No, that’s not it. Your Grace, you’ve misunderstood. I…”
“Misunderstood?”
His gaze settled on the woman who was frantically nodding her little head.
“You said that book was yours.”
“I-It is, but…”
“And you said you read it, then dreamed about me.”
“T-That’s true too, but…”
“What did we do in your dream?”
The lips that had been chattering away snapped shut in an instant.
Looking down at her with faint mockery in his eyes, he repeated the question.
“So what, exactly, have I misunderstood?”
“A dream… is just a dream. I-I like reading those books, but actually… doing… that… in real life is… well…”
“So whenever your frustration builds up again, you thoughtlessly recommend them to Chloe too?”
“No! I-I would never do something like that!”
“Miss Vanderberg. How am I supposed to believe you? Weren’t you the one who said that forcing yourself to suppress it would only make it explode? And that I should help you deal with it before it did?”
As he took another step closer, the scent of gunpowder washed over her. Only then did Irene fully register the situation.
Her cheeks flushed a brilliant red. They were alone in the study. The man who had proposed an improper relationship stood brazenly right in front of her, his hand firmly wrapped around her wrist.
The moment all of that sank in, her heart broke free of its restraints and began pounding wildly.
The unforgettable dream flashed through her mind. Without realizing it, Irene moistened her dry lips. A strange warmth fluttered low in her abdomen, and she instinctively drew her legs together.
His gaze dropped to her soft, glistening red lips. Just like the pervert she was, she wore such an innocent face while shamelessly tempting him.
There was no point in talking any longer.
Without hesitation, Dominic cupped her chin and tipped it upward. Before she could lower her head again, his lips captured hers.
“Mm…!”
A short cry escaped her. He immediately parted her lips with his tongue, kissing her deeply.
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