Chapter 35
Thanks to Chloe’s consideration, their time for reading sensational novels had been moved to late afternoon.
The midday heat was still relentless, but by the time the sun began to set, Irene found it much more bearable.
“This one’s a little rough around the edges, but it ties up its foreshadowing surprisingly well. Take it with you and give it a read.”
Having finally discovered a novel she genuinely enjoyed, Chloe handed the book to Irene with unmistakable enthusiasm.
The sensational novel was titled <The Baroness in Heat and the Man in the Labyrinth>. According to Chloe, it was a refreshingly original story that combined not only steamy romance but also a Gothic mystery perfectly suited to the sweltering summer.
Book in hand, Irene was just about to leave the main house. Then she caught sight of the estate’s master stepping down from his carriage, his brow deeply furrowed.
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the grounds. Drawing a lungful of the warm, humid evening air, Irene forced herself to look away from the tall man and quickly turned toward the annex instead.
Even though the sun had set, she felt a wave of heat wash over her. Was today unusually hot? Deliberately ignoring the restless pounding of her heart, she filled her mind with pointless thoughts as she walked.
Then—
“Stop, Miss Vanderberg.”
His deep voice rode on the heavy summer breeze.
She swallowed hard. Ever since he’d given up on having her persuade Chloe, she’d assumed they would have no reason to cross paths again. Yet somehow…
He was already standing right in front of her.
As arrogant as ever, Dominic Whitmore looked down at her.
His gaze traveled over her nervous eyes, her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and the lips she unconsciously chewed between her teeth…
Before finally settling on what she was holding.
“Truly… You never cease to amaze me.”
His eyes rested on the book in the prim governess’s hands.
Still staring at him as though spellbound by his striking face, Irene suddenly jolted back to her senses and hurriedly hid the book behind her back.
“Don’t tell me you gave that to Chloe again…”
“No! I—I mean, this is… this is… it’s a mystery novel…!”
She didn’t even get to finish before Dominic reached out. In the blink of an eye, the book was plucked from her hands.
Too startled to even cry out, Irene could only stare blankly between her now-empty hands and the book he’d taken.
“A mystery?”
<The Baroness in Heat and the Man in the Labyrinth>
He glanced down at the title. His voice turned incredulous.
“A mystery, is it? Ha. You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Y-Your Grace, the title is just… rather provocative, that’s all…”
“Don’t tell me you actually took this to Chloe.”
Your sister’s the one who recommended it!
Unable to bear the look of utter disbelief directed at her, Irene lowered her head. Only moments ago she’d been struggling with the summer heat. Now a chill raced down her spine, cold sweat trickling down her back.
“Miss Vanderberg… Do my words mean absolutely nothing to you?”
“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
Wearing the strained expression of a man barely holding back a torrent of emotions, Dominic let out a long sigh. Irene could only stare helplessly at the floor, uncertain what to do, when his low voice broke the silence.
“Come with me.”
“What? Where…?”
“How many… more… times… do I have to tell you…” he ground out through clenched teeth, struggling to contain his anger, “…that I’ll be the one to take care of this?”
Irene looked at him blankly.
Beyond Dominic’s broad shoulders, she caught the last rays of the setting sun sinking below the horizon.
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