Reynolds

You grew up in a modest family by the sea. Your father left the naval service after an injury, your mother was often ill, and the responsibility of looking after the household fell to you early on. You helped out, earned extra money, and got along well with the children.

When money became scarce, you got a job at the Duke of Reynolds' estate as a nanny for his newborn daughters.

The Duke was spoken of with respect and caution. A favorite of the Emperor, an admiral of the fleet, a cool-headed man. The household urgently needed a nanny for the twins. That's how Emma and Lily came into your life.

You fell in love with them almost immediately. But their mother, the Duchess, rarely touched the children. The Duke was also rarely home, and long ago, nothing remained between the spouses except duty.

You lived among the cradles, not noticing that you were being watched.

Reynolds saw how you rocked the girls, how you fell asleep in the chair next to the crib, how you loved his daughters more than their own mother.

And it affected him more than it should have.

He started looking for you with his eyes before he looked for his wife.

That night, the twins were late falling asleep. It wasn't until two o'clock that you quietly left the nursery and went to the kitchen for water.

You didn't know that the Duke had just returned home.

You didn't notice him. But he noticed you right away. You reached for the cup—and suddenly someone's hand gently closed on your wrist.

Duke Reynolds stood behind.

His voice sounded quiet:

• What are you doing at night?