Page 21 of Jane Deyre

Ms. Fairfax looks at her sternly. “You finish your meal, young lady, and don’t you dare spit out your food again. Ever!”

“Je te déteste!”Before I can blink, my charge grabs her bowl and flings it at Alice. It hits her hard in the chest, and as she shrieks, the stew drips down the jacket of her gray suit.

Her face contorted and crimson, Edwina’s chief of staff springs to her feet.

“How dare you, you disrespectful, despicable little imp!”

To my secret delight, Adele pokes her tongue out at the dragon lady.

Alice’s expression grows more enraged; I can virtually see flames shooting out of her nostrils. “That’s it!”

She stomps our way, her hands fisted by her sides. My heartbeat quickens, my nerve endings buzz. Is she going to physically harm Adele? I can’t let her hurt her. She’s only a little girl! Protectively, impulsively, I leap up and lift her into my arms. Light as a feather, she wraps her slender arms and legs around me.

“Don’t you dare touch her!” I yell at Alice, shielding the back of the child’s head with my hand. It doesn’t stop her. I step away, but not in time. I watch in horror as she raises her hand.

Then, before she can lower it, another body comes between us. Tall, dark, and handsome.

Mr. Rochester!

He yanks Ms. Fairfax’s arm down with such force she winces. He holds it down, squeezing her wrist.

She futilely tries to free herself. “Let go of me! You’re hurting me!”

He squeezes harder. His eyes grow black as coal. “Don’t you dare touch my daughter!” The rage in his voice makes me shake. “If you ever lay your hands on her, you’ll be sorry.”

I’ve already witnessed what he’s capable of. He could probably hurl the bony woman across the lawn straight into the rosebushes. He releases her. She rubs her wrist.

Unfazed by his rage, Alice returns to her seat.

“Now, now, let’s all calm down,” says Edwina. “And resume our lunch.” She looks visibly upset, her hands shaking.

Still standing, her godson keeps his gaze on me. His face is contorted in anger. “Jane, please get Adele cleaned up and meet me out front in fifteen minutes. We’re getting the hell out of here.”

CHAPTER 10

Ward

The Rolls in park, I tap my foot against the gas pedal. Patience isn’t one of my virtues.

How long does it take to bathe and dress a little girl?

I wouldn’t know because I’ve never done it.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

Less than a week ago, I had my life under control. I had no responsibilities other than myself. And taking care of my godmother. And recording her life.

Then she came along. Adele. Virtually hand-delivered at the front gate like an Amazon package. Except I can’t return her.

Fucking Céline. The goddamn self-centered, crazy bitch. Women like her deserve to be locked away. Stupid me should have known better. I fell in love with beauty. Rather, I was blindsided by beauty. She left me with heartache.

Little did I know at that time she left me with something else.

A kid. Our kid. And the paternity test I received proves it.

I don’t know a thing about little girls. And this one seems like her mother. A wild child.

And just like her beautiful mother, she already has me wrapped around her little finger.