Page 12 of Two Ruins Make a Right

Six

Dancing blindly down ruin’s path.

N ell woke in a luxurious bedroom, and for a moment, she couldn’t remember where she was.

But then, the events of yesterday rushed back to her.

The duchess had assigned this room to her.

A beautifully stoked fire crackled in greeting of the new day.

A maid must have been in earlier, as the fire’s warmth banished the morning chill.

The wily duchess had put her in the bedroom that connected to James’s apartments.

Located in a separate wing from the ducal family’s suites, this floor was exclusively for the ducal heir’s use.

Christa was assigned a bedroom on the other side of Nell, while Harry’s bedchambers were next to James’s.

Thankfully, Nell was a light sleeper and would hear the floors creak or doors open if Christa and Harry sought each other in the middle of the night to “deepen” their relationship.

She chided herself for such a hypocritical thought.

Yet, she felt compelled to consider such a possibility.

She and James had managed to find a way to be together at night.

Christa and Harry could do the same. A tentative knock sounded on Nell's door as she tied her dressing gown around her waist. Before she could answer, Christa stepped into the room, fully dressed and prepared for the day.

“Good morning,” Christa said sweetly in a low voice, “I’d hoped we’d have a moment to talk before our day starts.”

“Morning.” Nell examined her sister’s choice of gowns.

It was old but completely functional. She usually wore it when visiting Whitton Priory and walking the fields and pastures surrounding the marquessate’s ancestral seat.

Sturdy brown half-boots peeked out from the gown’s hem.

“I see you’re ready to explore the ducal lands. ”

Christa nodded. The tension between them had receded from yesterday’s pointed conversation.

“Harry wants to take me to see several of his projects on the estate.” She shook her head and smiled.

“I mean, Harry wants to take us . If there’s time, we’ll visit several neighboring estates where he has received offers of employment.

We might possibly settle at one after we.

..” She stood tall and tilted her chin an inch. “After we marry.”

Nell hid her smile. She’d give credit where credit was due. Her sister was not the meek, docile girl most thought her to be. Ever since they were children, Christa had always known what she wanted. But unlike others, she had a unique talent for getting what she desired without others realizing it.

But this time, she wasn’t subtle.

“Let’s be clear on what we’re doing here.” Nell walked to the side table and poured a cup of still-warm tea. “I’ll be fair to you and Harry. I’ll also be fair to our parents’ heritage and you. They would not be pleased that their daughter would be married to a land steward.”

“Because our father is a peer?” She hmphed.

“A viscount who lacks any funds for a dowry?” She rolled her eyes.

“The only peers interested in marrying me are old men desperate for an heir or who want an ornament on their arm.” The tilt of her head displayed her full confidence.

“If I can’t marry for love, then I’d rather not marry. I’ll be a spinster.”

Nell bit her lip. She had to remember to keep a civil tongue. “If you don’t marry, you’ll be destitute. Forced to rely on others’ generosity.”

“Like your generosity?” Christa’s eyes widened, and she blinked twice. “Nell, I wouldn’t ask that of you. I have no fear of earning my way in life. You’ve already sacrificed too much for the family.”

Nell closed the distance between them and took her sister’s hand. “I promised myself long ago that I’d be the one to look out for your best interests. I won’t shirk that responsibility now.”

Christa reached up and placed a kiss on Nell’s cheek. “All I ask is that you don’t make any decisions until Harry and I can show you what our future holds.”

“All right.” She wrapped her little sister in a hug. Besides being six years younger, Christa was also inches shorter, which allowed Nell to rest her chin on top of her sister’s head.

Christa wrapped her arms around Nell and squeezed.

“Thank you for keeping an open mind.” She stepped away.

“Now dress and come downstairs for breakfast. Harry and James are ready to show us the ducal estates. Harry’s first project.

..” She blushed prettily. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise. But please do hurry, Nell.”

As the door shut behind her sister, Nell rang for a maid to assist her as she dressed. But there was a nag that wouldn’t leave her be. James would accompany them today on the tour of the estate. For that reason alone, she decided to dress for comfort and function. She didn’t need to impress anyone.

Especially him.

Several footmen stood ready to attend her when she made her way to the breakfast room.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t that hungry, as all she could taste was the bitterness of disappointment since James hadn’t joined them.

Christa and Harry sat near one another finishing their meal, but James was absent.

Most likely, he was spending time with Valentina.

As they all adjourned to the entry to don their coats and start the examination of the estate, James descended the steps. At the sight of him, Nell’s heartbeat threatened to gallop straight through her chest to reach him. Magnificent was too tame a word. It was like saying the Thames was a tad wet.

He looked the perfect country gentleman, dressed in doeskin breeches, polished Hessian boots, and a black morning coat.

Each piece had been meticulously tailored to a snug fit, leaving every muscle in his legs clearly revealed.

His cravat displayed an elegant mathematical knot, and his coat hugged his broad shoulders perfectly.

She had to get a hold of herself before he noticed her ogling him as if he were a sweet treat in a tea shop. Briefly, she caught his gaze, and a knowing smile tugged at one side of his mouth. The look in his eyes was clear. It’s no secret that you still want me.

Without further acknowledging James, Nell turned to Tipton, who held her redingote. Before she could don her coat, James stood by her side.

“Allow me to help, Lady Whitton,” he said while taking the coat from the butler.

Nell refused to meet his gaze as she allowed him to assist her. Heat slowly crawled up her neck to her face, betraying the effect he was having on her. It was mortifying to have been caught admiring his body.

With her back turned to him, he leaned close. So close in fact, that his body heat enveloped her, and his sandalwood fragrance caressed her. Unable to bear it, she drew a deep breath and inhaled his sweet scent. My God, how she’d missed it. How she’d missed him throughout her lonely years.

“I saw you admiring me as I descended the steps,” he whispered. “It pleases me that you noticed.”

She turned around so swiftly that her skirts threatened to tangle around his boots. Their stance was so intimate, others might gather the wrong impression if they were watching them.

“I find you the same,” he said softly. Without a glance her way, he stepped away and addressed Harry, “Shall we visit the north orchard, then the granaries on the northeast side?”

Nell blinked twice as she regarded James.

Something happened between yesterday and today if his behavior was to be believed.

But what? She narrowed her eyes as she studied him carefully.

His visage didn’t betray a hint of mischief or trickery.

Yet, she couldn’t rule out that this was a ploy on his part to convince her that he still had some regard for her.

He probably thought such a design would cause her to lower her defenses, so he could use his influence to persuade her to consent that Christa could marry Harry.

She huffed out a breath. It was a waste of effort on his part. She knew what she had to do, and that was to protect Christa at all costs. However, she considered herself a fair-minded individual and would listen to Christa and Harry’s arguments.

“Wait for me, Papa.”

The little voice drew everyone’s attention, and Nell was no exception.

Valentina hurried down the steps so quickly that it appeared she was flying.

“Slow down, darling,” James shouted.

Without a second-guessing herself, Nell rushed up the steps to meet her. At that moment, Valentina missed a step, her legs tangling together. She tumbled headfirst, but Nell caught her right before she collided with the hard marble.

Instinctively, Nell pulled Valentina tight to her chest. It was difficult to determine whose heart was pounding faster and louder—hers or Valentina’s. The child’s face had turned pale with fear.

Nell pulled away and examined Valentina. “Are you all right?”

Valentina’s chin wobbled, and her lips trembled slightly.

By then, James was by their sides.

As soon as Valentina saw her father, a cry escaped, and she extended her arms for him to take her. Nell reluctantly let her go. James immediately wrapped his daughter in his big, strong arms. His eyes slammed shut as he pulled her near.

In that stark moment, Nell could only concentrate on the way Valentina’s black curls perfectly matched her father’s.

Though James held Valentina secure in his arms, a roil of emotion pushed at Nell from all sides. Fear, shock, and thankfulness combined into a maelstrom that couldn’t be controlled. Her thoughts tangled with what could have happened if she hadn’t caught Valentina.