Nanny and the Alpha Daddy

Chapter 21

Nanny and the Alpha Daddy
#Chapter 21: The Secret Brother
oana

“Uncle Ethan!”

Ella jumped up and ran over to Ethan. Smiling, he picked her up and twirled her around in a circle. The quiet air of the garden became briefly filled with the sweet sound of the little girl’s giggles before he sat her back down and patted her on the head.

“I think your grandma is looking for you,” he said, to which Ella immediately perked up and took off to find Verona.

I was still sitting on the bench, utterly shocked by Ethan’s presence.

“Fancy seeing you here,” he said, walking up to me and standing in front of me so that his tall body blocked the light.

“Fancy seeing you here, too,” I said, standing. “I had no idea you were related to the Morgan family.”

“Oh, yeah,” he said, running a hand through his hair. Even now, dressed in his formal attire, I could see a small smudge of paint on the artist’s left pinky. “The whole ‘Bradley’ last name is just a pseudonym. Well, sort of; it was my mother’s maiden name. I use it now to protect my true identity.”

I nodded, not sure of what to say. Ethan turned and walked over to the fountain, gesturing for me to follow, which I did.

“So… You’re Ella’s au pair, right?” Ethan asked as we slowly walked together around the garden. The summer air was still and humid, but the feeling of the cool spray coming off of the fountain was refreshing.

“Yes,” I replied, glancing over in the direction where Ella had just gone. “I have been for a few weeks now.”

We passed by a small grove of orange trees, their branches heavy and laden with ripe fruit. From where we stood, I could smell the citrus in the air. As we passed underneath the trees, Ethan casually reached up and plucked one. I watched as he expertly peeled the orange while keeping the peel in one long strip, then tossed the peel into a nearby shrub and handed me a slice. It was warm and sweet from being in the sun all day, and the juices that burst into my mouth made me smile.

“Well,” Ethan said, his mouth full of orange, “I can’t think of anyone better to be Ella’s nanny. I know how much the kids at the orphanage love you. Ella certainly seems to feel the same.”

My smile widened. “Thank you,” I replied. “I love Ella. She’s a good girl.”

We walked a bit more around the garden, then passed through one side of the large colonnade, where the feeling of the cold marble permeated through my sandals and cooled my feet. The arched ceilings made the sound of the crickets chirping even more prominent.

here?” I asked, leaning on the railing of one side of the colonnade that looked out over even more

did,” Ethan replied, sounding almost a little embarrassed by it. “I still live here now,

around, leaning backwards on the railing now, and looked up at the palace behind us. The party sounded as though it had gotten more lively inside; I could hear music now, and the sound of laughter. Through one of

the music, bobbing his head a bit for a few moments before turning toward me and holding

“Care for a dance?”

my face

don’t know how,” I admitted, staring down at

away from the railing. “It’s easy. Besides, no one is here to see if you mess

other hand

“It’s like this…”

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