The Young and the Ruined - Annabelle Anders Page 0,5

for a footman to attend him.

Like a clipper ship, James’s Aunt Evelyn, the duchess of Darnley, parted the sea of guests to make her way to lay claim to all the spoils. “Nellwyn? Is that you?” She clapped her hands in a show of joy. “How delightfully marvelous. I didn’t know James had invited you.”

By then, his Uncle Gordon, the Duke of Darnley, had butted in between him and Aunt Evelyn. With a well-placed jab of an elbow in James’s ribcage, the duke chortled. “You’re a sly one, James, my boy. Make Nell jealous by inviting all these other women. It’s simply brilliant,” the elderly duke whispered for James’s ear only.

“Your Grace, I didn’t invite her,” James drawled softly.

The duke’s bushy eyebrows scurried upward. His already wrinkled brow furrowed into even more lines. “That’s much more serious. Watch your step. Once Fate involves herself, there’s not much you can do. That’s what happened with your aunt and I.” Without another word, a smile spread across his lips, and he turned his attention to Nell.

She dipped a polite curtsey to his aunt and uncle. “Your Grace, and Your Grace. Thank you for allowing us the use of your stable hands. Our carriage broke down on our way back to Whitton Priory.”

The duke bowed briefly over Nell’s hand. “That’s a shame, my lady. But we promise to turn your misfortune into something more positive.”

The duchess nodded briskly. “Gordon, an excellent idea.” She turned to Nell. “Can you stay the week with us? We’re hosting a little house party on James’s behalf. We’d love for you to attend.”

Before his aunt and uncle could convince Nell to stay, James outmaneuvered them. It was wicked on his part, but he couldn’t help it. “I’m afraid Lady Whitton must leave as soon as her carriage is repaired. She has a suitor soon to be waiting for her at Whitton Priory.”

“What?” The duchess’s hand flew to her heart.

Nell shot him a look designed to skewer him straight through the chest. “Your Grace, it isn’t like that at all.” She smiled demurely at his aunt and uncle. “My sister Christa is being courted by the Marquess of Mounthaven. His visit will allow both he and Christa the opportunity to become better acquainted and see if they’ll suit. I’ll be their chaperon.”

James leaned close to Nell. “If that arrangement doesn’t work out for them, perhaps you’d be interested in the marquess yourself. You like older men. He’s what? At least fifty?”

Without a hint that she was shocked by his words, she addressed the duke and duchess, “Christa is here someplace.” Nell gracefully stood on her tiptoes and glanced around. Taller than most women, she could see everyone in the room. “There she is with Mr. Knollwood.”

When Nell lowered herself to the floor, she stood close enough that she ground her heel on the top of his foot.

“Alas, ma’am, you seem to have mistaken my boot for the floor.”

She blinked innocently. “No, I didn’t. I meant to do that.”

“Wicked woman,” he hissed under his breath.

“Maleficent man,” she countered softly.

“I spoke nothing but the truth. Your first husband was in his sixth decade when he passed. Mounthaven has to be at least that old or—”

Before James could finish his retort, Valentina stood before them next to Nell’s side. “My lady, you must sit by me at luncheon.”

James took his daughter’s hand. “Darling, we discussed this. The luncheon is for adults. You’ll take yours in the nursery with Miss Owens.”

“No, Papa. I insist upon eating with her.” She dropped his hand and stood close to Nell. Her lips began to wobble as if she were about to cry.

Nell lowered herself so she and Valentina could see eye-to-eye. “I would love to eat with you in the nursery.”

A huge smile broke across his daughter’s face. “You would?” She turned to him with her nose tipped in the air. “Papa, I didn’t want to eat with you and those other ladies anyway. We’ll have much more fun in the nursery.” She giggled and leaned close to Nell. “We can play dolls.”

“I’d like that very much,” Nell answered softly.

Tipton nodded Nell’s way. “It appears we don’t have an axle long enough to make the repairs today. I’m sorry, Lady Whitton.”

An utter look of despair fell across her face. It hit James straight in the stomach. It was ironic that such an expression still had an effect on him. He should have been gleeful that she was despondent.

“You can take one of the duke’s carriages, or