Page 15 of Two Ruins Make a Right

Seven

Blind ambition is a course to ruin.

F or nearly the entire day, Nell’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled the kiss she had shared with James as they roamed the ducal estates. She didn’t want to overthink what had occurred, but perhaps James had forgiven her. Maybe they could have a future.

She was living in a dream world, and she knew better than to believe in such dreams. They never came true.

Perhaps her sister would have better luck with her dreams. That’s what Nell should concentrate on.

Nell glanced at her sister, who was spellbound as she watched Harry exuberantly show them the projects he had created.

Harry’s expertise ran the gamut of estate management, including well construction, granary design, and breeding programs for the sheep and cattle on the estate, along with a solid understanding of the finances necessary for the daily and yearly upkeep of the vast holdings.

As James offered his insight on how vital Harry’s efforts were to the estate's future and its tenants, Nell allowed her thoughts to wander. There was no doubt that Christa and Harry were devoted to each other. Just by how their gazes devoured each other, Nell could tell they were in love.

But was it enough? That was the question she must find the answers to.

James led them to a small, wooded area that had been cleared and carefully cultivated with spring flowers and trees. There was even a small seating area.

Nell immediately recognized where they were: a small grove filled with fruit trees just blossoming with the promise of their future bounty.

It was where she and James had shared their first kiss.

Was it a coincidence that he had brought them here for a little respite and a cold luncheon, particularly after their kiss?

She chided herself silently, thinking it was foolish to believe this was anything other than happenstance, that he had chosen this area of the estate.

She had to remember that they were still somewhat leery of each other.

As they crossed the field, each rough patch on the path jostled their shoulders together.

Yet, their legs had been touching the entire time.

Keenly aware of his body, Nell studied his thigh next to hers.

James’s doeskin breeches, the leather like a second skin, emphasized his muscles.

It was proof that he was not a lazy country gentleman.

Throughout the morning, James had shared tidbits and tales of the tenants and workers who proudly served the Duke of Darnley.

He worked beside those tenants and workers.

And, by the sound of it, he enjoyed it. Then he had added, for good measure, that there was a history at Redmond Hall that grounded a person.

Unexpectedly, she found herself envious. How wonderful it would be to become a part of something bigger than one’s own self and leave the land in a better position because you’d worked it with your own hands.

She hmphed silently. All her work had been for her family.

When the carts came to a halt, Harry jumped down and then assisted Christa. His hands lingered on her sister’s waist after Christa’s feet were firmly on the ground. Their gazes seemed too intimate to be observed. Nell cleared her throat, ready to speak to her sister.

“Careful, Nell,” James murmured. “Your claws are showing.”

“He looks like he wants to eat her,” Nell whispered.

“And she the same with him,” James quipped softly.

“It isn’t humorous,” Nell pointed out. “I haven’t agreed to anything. Besides, all we’ve seen has been Harry’s work on the duke’s estate. When will we see the other places where he’s been offered positions?

“Oh, ye of little faith,” James sighed. “I beg of you to have a little patience. I’m sending a note to Lord Brambly and Lord Templeton this afternoon requesting an audience with them. They’ve offered excellent employment opportunities for Harry.”

“Are we discussing Brambly Cottage?” she asked. Immediately, she shook her head. “Absolutely not. Lord Brambly is a lecherous old man. He’d have Christa in his sights before a fortnight had passed.”

“Easy, Lady Whitton.” James jumped down and offered his assistance to Nell.

He lifted her from the cart. As he carefully lowered her to the ground, their chests brushed against each other.

His gaze latched on to hers, and a ghost of a smile creased his lips.

He made it seem as if she were as light as a feather, even though she was practically his same height.

It wasn't very prudent of her, but she felt a sudden giddiness as if they were back in their youth, flirting with one another.

“It’s not Brambly Cottage he’d be working at, but at the earl’s Cornwall estate. Brambly hardly ever visits there.” James reached inside the cart and pulled out a basket Cook had packed for them this morning.

“Cornwall?” Nell took a step back, the intimate moment between them vanishing like a puff of smoke. “That’s too far from me.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” He lifted a perfectly arched brow and grinned. “Does your sister’s world revolve around you?”

“I’m her family,” she replied. She glanced at Christa and Harry, who were setting up the plates and tablecloth from the basket they had brought.

It was a simple domestic scene, and her sister did appear 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.

That would mean the debt collectors would soon arrive at Harry and Christa’s doorstep.

Nell shook her head slightly. Cornwall was simply too far if she ever needed to intervene and stop her parents from harassing Christa.

Unfortunately, Christa might believe their mother's outrageous stories, just as Nell had once believed those tales 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, Nell had given her mother the monthly pin money Whitton had provided her.

When he discovered what she had done, he convinced her not to play into her mother’s hands.

He confronted her parents and told them that if they approached Nell again, he would ruin them socially and financially.

They were terrified of him and had slinked away in silence.

From that day forward, Nell vowed she would do her best to keep Christa out of their mother’s greedy clutches.

That meant Nell needed to live close to her sister.

In addition, 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. She couldn’t help but wonder how much Christa had shared with Harry about their family and all the dirty 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.

Nell brushed her hands together. “What can I do to help?”

“Christa has the food all ready.” A warm and welcoming smile crossed Harry’s face as he glanced at Nell’s sister. “Please sit, Lady Whitton.”

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 idiotic 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 it, 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 before him, she could forgo the wine.

They’d soon be on their way back to the house.

Polite conversation ensued among the other three while Nell sat like a frog on a log, unable to summon even the simplest idea to add to the discussion.

All she desired was reassurance from Harry that he’d protect her sister from her own parents while ensuring she would 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 the perfect 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 offer of employment from Lord Brambly.”

“Are there other places where you might entertain settling?” Nell would have patted herself on the back if she could reach it. She sounded remarkably calm when she felt anything but.