have to do with anything?” He lifted a perfectly arched brow. “Does your sister’s world revolve around you?”
“I’m her family,” she replied testily. She glanced at Christa and Harry, who were setting up the plates and tablecloth from the basket they’d brought. It was a simple domestic scene, and her sister did look happy. There was no denying they were a handsome couple, but Cornwall? Even though it would make travel difficult for their mother, Lady Ellison would make the trip if things became too dire in London...meaning the debt collectors would soon arrive on their doorstep again.
Nell shook her head slightly. It was too far if she ever needed to intervene and stop her parents from harassing Christa. Unfortunately, Christa might believe the outrageous stories their mother told—just as Nell had once believed long ago. How many times had the “your father is on his deathbed” worked? Or the perennial favorite, “your father’s mistress is pregnant and is blackmailing me.” Yes, Nell had heard it all. At first, she’d given her mother the monthly pin money Whitton had provided. When he discovered what she’d done, he’d convinced her not to play into her mother’s hands. He’d confronted her parents and told them if they approached Nell again, he’d ruin them socially and financially. Completely terrified of her husband, they had slinked away in silence. From that day forward, Nell had vowed she’d do her damnedest to keep Christa out of their mother’s greedy clutches. That meant Nell needed to live close to her sister.
Besides, Nell needed to see hard numbers before she’d agree to anything. She would not leave her little sister in a situation where money was always the issue. They’d grown up with that hanging over their heads and sitting on their shoulders. It was too much. It was too much now.
“Christa and I have always had a close relationship. I don’t know if...”
“If you could be apart from her?” He held out his arm for her to take.
“Something like that,” Nell murmured, slipping her arm around his. It wouldn’t help anyone if she exposed all her family’s dirty little secrets.
“Christa would be married. Harry would be her family then.” His deep voice cut a wide swath through her chest.
When she glanced his way, James was staring straight ahead. “No. She will always be my sister. Always my family.” Nell declared softly.
James regarded her with a slight smile. Dare she think an understanding one?
“Let’s revisit this after luncheon,” he said. By then, they’d reached Harry’s and Christa’s sides. “What can I do?”
“Christa has the food all ready.” A warm and welcoming smile crossed Harry’s face as he glanced at Nell’s sister.
For heaven’s sake, they looked blissfully happy. Much like she and James had been all those years ago. But how long would such blinding love last? Probably as long as it would take for their mother to travel to Cornwall with some plea that would drive a wedge between the couple.
She sat next to James on a bench that faced another one where Harry and Christa sat. They each had their plates resting on their laps.
Christa took a glass from Harry and drank, then gave it to him. Immediately, something passed between them and they seemed lost in their own world. Harry drank from the same place Christa had. When he finished, they shared a secret smile.
“I’m afraid cook only packed two glasses,” James said to Nell. “I don’t mind sharing, if you don’t?”
Heat blazed across her cheeks. Sharing from the same glass and from the same wine seemed such a simple thing, but it felt akin to a kiss. Nell straightened her spine. What was wrong with her? It was a matter of necessity. If it was too uncomfortable to partake in front of him, then she could forgo the wine. They’d soon be on their way back to the house.
Polite conversation ensued between the three others, but Nell sat like a frog on a log, unable to summon the simplest idea to add to the conversation. All she desired was reassurance from Harry that he’d protect her sister from her own parents, while ensuring she’ll be happy on a small income? None of this namby-pamby conversation served any of their interests.
Harry caught Nell’s gaze and smiled, one that seemed to invite her to join into their discussion. It was just the opening she’d hoped for. “Mr. Knollwood, Mr. Richardson mentioned that you may be working in Cornwall.”
Harry swallowed quickly. “Yes, my lady. I expect an