Page 18 of Two Ruins Make a Right

If that were true, then Nell would have to sleep for ten years before she’d even contemplate feeling a tad bit better.

* * *

Alone in the library, James downed the last of his port. He wasn’t fit company at dinner. He was still angry with Nell. It was a good thing that she hadn’t joined them this evening. He doubted he would have been 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 allowed thoughts of Nell ruin his precious time with his daughter.

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.”

“How is Abigail?” James glanced around the room, trying to discover the doll’s whereabouts. “Where is she? 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 and quietly 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 she were lecturing a recalcitrant student. “My new mama. Nell.”

“Why did Lady Whitton need Abigail?” He was quite pleased at his nonchalant tone while he contemplated sending a footman to retrieve the doll. 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?”

His daughter had the uncanny ability to understand what was transpiring within the house better than he did.

He would dare say she knew more than even his aunt, the duchess.

James bent down and brushed a wayward black curl from Valentina’s face.

From her soft, even breathing, Valentina was sound asleep.

At just six years of age, she could fall asleep 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?

He didn’t have to wonder anymore. He had seen firsthand that she had become a beautiful shrew who 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 Nurse, then left the nursery.

His blood pounded through his veins. But it wasn’t anger. Something else surged within him. What if Nell was really ill? Perhaps he should knock on her door and see if she needed a doctor. Though he was still displeased with 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. Even the duke and duchess had retired shortly after dinner, leaving James the only one besides the staff to roam the enormous hallways of Redmond Hall.

After saying good night to Tipton, James walked the familiar path to his bedchamber. For some odd reason, he felt a reckoning lay in his and Nell’s future.

And he’d be only too happy to be the one to provide it to her.

When he entered the room, his valet stood waiting to help him undress.

“Thank you, Charles, but I’ll attend myself this evening.” The sooner he finished with Nell, the better.

“Of course, my lord.” The valet nodded. “Good night.”

“Good night,” James answered. The door clicked shut, leaving him alone. By then, he’d already shucked his evening coat and waistcoat. In minutes, he had his cravat untied and thrown across the chair.

He glanced at the door and made his decision.

With purposeful strides, he crossed the room to the connecting door to the matching bedroom where his future wife would reside, the one that had been assigned to Nell. He lifted his hand and knocked twice.

“Come in.”

He’d recognize that feminine voice anywhere, even through a thick oak door.

He depressed the handle and crossed the threshold, then stopped. It felt as if he’d walked into a door instead of through one.

Nell had her back to him. With her hair down and wearing a brilliant emerald green dressing gown, she appeared to be a woodland fairy who had come from her forest to enchant him this evening.

When she turned to face him, the full skirt twirled at her sudden movement.

The material glistened in the soft candlelight as if welcoming him.

This is how he always imagined she would greet him when he entered her room.

He’d take her in his arms, then make love to her.

Carefully, he lifted his gaze from the skirt to her face.

It wasn’t her beauty that captured his breath.

It was the look of abject misery on her face.

“My God, Nell, are you ill?”

Silently, she stared at him for a moment, then shook her head.

“What is it?”

“Nothing,” she answered. “I knew you’d come to see me tonight.”

“Really? I didn’t know until I entered my room. You must be clairvoyant.” He chuckled softly.

Her face didn’t change expression, but she studied his chest, then trailed her gaze across his forearms.

James glanced at the floor to escape her penetrating eyes.

They’d always had the ability to mesmerize him, but tonight he couldn’t be distracted.

All thoughts of seduction were out of the question.

“I’ll not keep you. Valentina told me you weren’t feeling well.

If you need a doctor, I’ll inform Tipton. We can send for one immediately.”

“I’m fine,” she murmured. “Your daughter...” She swallowed with difficulty.

The pulse at the base of her throat fluttered.

“Your daughter sent Abigail to me. She’s here.

” Nell pointed to a chair where the doll sat.

“You should take her to Valentina. That was very kind of her to be worried on my behalf.” She turned from him and walked to the window, staring out into the darkness.

“She’s a beautiful girl, James. You’re lucky to be her father. ”

“Yes.” It was all he could say. In that instant, he wanted to hold her and give her anything she wanted.

He wanted to forget about the past and all their wasted years.

Perhaps it was too late. But even if it were, he would try to be civil.

“I’d like to speak with you, but I’ll be brief.

” He pushed away from the writing desk where he’d rested his backside.

“If you’re not going to agree to the marriage, then my conscience is encouraging me to visit your parents and explain the situation. ”

“Don’t do that,” she said softly.

“Why? So, you’ll have a chance to sway their opinion your way?” It was wicked, but there was a part of him that wanted a reaction. Some type of raw emotion from her so she’d reveal who she actually was. For the past two days, she’d kept the real Nell hidden from his sight.

She turned from her study of the window, then smiled slightly.

“You think me cruel and horrid. If it’s any consolation, I think the same.

” Without waiting for him to reply, she closed the distance between them.

“If you go to them, it won’t make a difference.

One of my marriage settlement conditions was that Whitton ensured I would make all the decisions for Christa’s welfare. ”

“What does that mean?” Why would her husband insist upon such an unorthodox term? “Shouldn’t Harry ask your father for her hand? He spent time with you because he knew how close you and your sister are. For Christa’s sake, he wanted your blessing.”

Nell offered no explanation for her answer and peculiar mood.

She was so close that he could see the stunning color of her eyes.

For a moment, he let himself be captivated by their beauty.

It was as if he were drowning in their blue hue, reminiscent of warm summers and sweet air.

He studied her mouth, the one he’d kissed a thousand times before.

He could almost feel it beneath his own, taunting and tantalizing him.

“I’m the one to decide whom Christa marries.

I will no longer object to what they want.

” She studied her clasped hands, then slowly lifted her gaze to his again.

“I think it best if I leave it in your capable hands. If you believe that Harry’s future can support Christa as his wife, then I have no objections.

But first, I want you to hear my side of the argument.

Then you can tell me if you still believe that Harry should marry my sister. ”

“All right,” he said cautiously. “Do you want to have this conversation downstairs? It was impetuous of me to have knocked on your door. I apologize for the intrusion.”

“No. This is the perfect spot for our talk. If we’re in this bedroom, no one will disturb us. I don’t want anyone to overhear what I have to say.” She smiled tentatively.

Something akin to wariness crept between them. He’d never experienced it with her before. “I’ve never seen you so unsure of yourself. What could you possibly say that would change my mind about those two?”

“A great deal,” she answered. “I owe you the truth. I also owe you an apology. I only hope you’ll accept it. If you don’t, I understand.”