feeling a tad bit better.
Alone in the library, James downed the last of his port. He wasn’t even fit company at dinner. He was still angry with Nell. It was a good thing that she hadn’t joined them this evening. He didn’t think he’d be able to manage a civil word otherwise.
He’d not waste any more thoughts on Nellwyn, the Marchioness of Whitton. If she had been so happy with her husband, then she could return to Whitton Priory on the morrow. James would take matters into his own hands and find a way for Harry and Christa to marry.
One glance at the longcase clock revealed that Valentina would be waiting for him to read her a bedtime story and tuck her into bed. It was his favorite time of day, and he’d be damned before he’d let thoughts of Nell ruin his precious time with his daughter.
Without wasting another thought on his uninvited guest, James took the stairs to the nursery. As soon as he entered, a freshly washed Valentina rushed into his arms.
“Papa, I thought you’d forgotten about me.” She giggled as he swung her up in a circle.
“Never. Ever. I promise you that.” He gently placed her down and took her hand. With a nod to Miss Owens, James escorted Valentina into her bedroom and closed the door.
After reading her favorite bedtime story, James pulled back the covers on her bed. “Tell me what you did today?”
Valentina hopped under the bedding, then leaned against a pillow. “I had tea with Abigail this afternoon.”
James glanced around the room, trying to discover the doll’s whereabouts. “Where is Abigail? Under the covers?” He playfully lifted the top blanket and peered under it, earning a delightful giggle from his daughter.
“No, Papa,” she answered. “I had nurse take her to my new mama.”
“To your new mama?” James tilted his head at the odd pronouncement. Silently, he moaned. She meant Nell. The blasted woman wouldn’t leave him even when he was tucking his daughter in for the evening.
“Yes.” Valentina shook her head as if lecturing a recalcitrant student. “My new mama, Nell.”
He cleared his throat gently wondering how to broach the subject without setting off a bunch of tears. He never could resist Valentina’s tears. He always gave in. This was why she needed a mother.
But it wouldn’t be Nell.
“Why did Lady Whitton need Abigail?” He was quite pleased at his nonchalant tone while he was seething inside. His daughter never slept without Abigail.
“She said she wasn’t feeling well. But I think it’s because she’s sad, Papa. She cried while she was having tea with me and Abigail.” She reached up and placed her arms around his neck for a hug.
He immediately pulled her close and inhaled the scent of fresh soap, clean linen, and his sweet little girl. “You were very kind to send Abigail to her. Shall I fetch her for you?”
“No.” Valentina yawned. “Both Abigail and I can tolerate a night without each other.” She pulled back and stared into his eyes. “When I don’t feel well, you always check on me. Perhaps you should do the same with my new mama.”
“Valentina,” he growled softly in warning. But it was a wasted effort. His daughter closed her eyes. “Valentina?”
She was fast asleep. His daughter had the uncanny ability to know what was transpiring within the house better than he did. He dared say she knew more than even his aunt, the duchess. James bent down and brushed a wayward black curl from Valentina’s face. For being six years of age, she could nod off to sleep without warning. If only he could do the same. How many nights had he lost sleep thinking about Nell and how her life had turned out? Well, he now knew the answer. She’d turned into a beautiful shrew that liked to manipulate others’ lives.
He pressed a kiss to Valentina’s forehead before quietly closing the door behind him. He said good night to the nursemaid, then left the nursery.
His blood was still pounding in anger, but something else had started surging within him. Worry. What if Nell was really ill? Perhaps he should knock on her door and see if she was in need of a doctor. Though he was still miffed at her, he couldn’t bear to think that she might be suffering in silence.
He proceeded downstairs where he’d discovered that Harry and Christa had already retired for the evening. The duke and duchess had retired shortly after dinner, leaving James the only one