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services. I mentioned it earlier, but I want to be certain you understand. It is not my practice to stay in one position for more than a year. When the time comes for me to leave, I will help you secure a replacement. Would that be agreeable to you?”
    A year would give her plenty of time to persuade His Grace that more freedom could only benefit his son. After that, another governess would be able to follow the trail she had blazed.
    The tension in the duke’s posture and expression eased. He closed the final inches between her fingertips and his to shake her hand. “A one-year position would be entirely agreeable to me, Miss Shaw.”
    Clearly the one thing he approved about her taking the position was the prospect of being rid of her in twelve months.
    That was one matter on which they could agree, Leah told herself in an effort to stifle a flicker of doubt.

Chapter Three
     
    O ne year. Could he abide having Leah Shaw under his roof for that long? Hayden asked himself that question as he rode back to Renforth Abbey behind the carriage.
    One year was a distinct improvement over having her there for an indefinite period. And at the end of that time, the decision to leave would be hers , not his. Kit was clever enough to realize that no amount of pleading with his father was likely to make his governess stay, so there should be no repetition of last night’s upset.
    Though Miss Shaw had offered to assist him in finding a replacement governess when the time came, Hayden had no intention of permitting any such thing. If he decided his son would benefit from further instruction, he would hire someone more suitable. But if this experiment proved to be nothing but a disruption, he and Kit would return to the routine that had served them well enough for the past several years.
    In the meantime, Hayden knew he would have to be vigilant to prevent Leah Shaw’s presence from putting his son’s health at risk. Not to mention keeping Kit from becoming too attached to his new governess. Which of those would be the most difficult, he could not predict. Miss Shaw was headstrong and impulsive, but she also possessed a certain charm that he feared might prove equally hazardous...and not only to his son.
    That fear was confirmed when the carriage halted at the entrance to the house and his butler greeted the lady as if she were a long-lost relative. “It is a pleasure to welcome you back to Renforth Abbey so soon, Miss Shaw. Do I take it you will be staying somewhat longer this time?”
    “I hope so, Mr. Gibson.” She gave a melodic ripple of laughter that Hayden resented, though he could not fathom why. “At least long enough to make a proper acquaintance of the place.”
    As Hayden dismounted, the butler turned toward him. “Now that Miss Shaw will be staying, shall I find her more suitable quarters, Your Grace?”
    Quarters nearer the nursery, for instance? Hayden did not want that. Leah Shaw might begin poking her pretty nose in more often than he wished. “What is wrong with the room she had last night? Put her back in there.”
    “I couldn’t,” she protested. “It is too grand. You might need that room for—”
    “Guests?” Hayden interrupted her with a derisive chuckle. “I am not in the habit of hosting house parties, Miss Shaw. The only person who comes to visit is my sister, who descends periodically without invitation or warning. There are plenty of other rooms we can place at Althea’s disposal. I insist you keep your present quarters.”
    He ignored the butler’s doubtful look, but found it impossible to do the same with Leah Shaw’s engaging smile of gratitude. “That is very kind of you, sir. It is a lovely room. I have never had one half so fine before.”
    Her gratitude troubled Hayden, knowing how little he deserved it. Yet he hoped it might make her feel obliged to comply with his wishes, if she believed he had granted her some sort of honor.
    “I trust you will be comfortable there.” His reply