Page 7 of Two Ruins Make a Right

The soft words caused Nell’s heart to melt as she wrapped her arm around Valentina’s waist and pressed a kiss upon the child’s black curls. Without a doubt, heaven was holding this child in her arms. “I wish I could. I’d like nothing more than to stay with you and play together every day.”

She closed her eyes and savored the moment. Though it was pretend, she might never come this close to being a real mother for the rest of her life.

“And Abigail?” Valentina peeked up at her through ridiculously long black lashes.

Nell couldn’t help but smile. “I would insist that Abigail have tea with us every afternoon.”

The little girl nodded with a confident assuredness of a twenty-year-old instead of a six-year-old. “I have a secret.” She hugged her doll tight. “My papa said that I could pick out a new mother from all those ladies who are visiting.”

“He did?” Nell did her best to hide her shock. “That’s quite a responsibility.”

“As soon as I saw you, I knew you were the one for us, meaning my papa and me.” Valentina giggled. “So, you must stay now. You’ll be my new mum.”

“Ahem,” a deep voice called from the doorway. “Valentina, Nurse is waiting to help you wash your hands after luncheon.”

Valentina slowly slid from Nell’s lap. Since Nell was sitting in one of the children’s chairs, it made it easy for the little girl to lean forward and kiss her cheek. “Thank you for playing with me. Most of all, thank you for being my new mum.”

“Valentina,” James admonished.

Without a look or a word that her father’s rebuke affected her, the little girl strolled toward him, then stopped. “You can send those other women home now.”

“Valentina,” he practically growled. “We’ll discuss this later.”

After Valentina left the room, Nell stood from the chair.

Knowing James, he probably thought she had encouraged Valentina to pick her.

Well, she had not, and she would not let him think any worse of her than he already did.

“I—I didn’t encourage her to say that. Nor did I agree to that.

” The heat licked at her cheeks. “We were just playing dolls.”

He stared at her without emotion crossing his face, but the muscle twitch in the hard set of his jaw portended his displeasure.

“It wasn’t until the end that she told me you allowed her to pick out her new mother.

You must believe me.” The palms of her hands were sweating.

She slowly wiped them down the front of her dress as unobtrusively as she could.

This was beyond humiliation. He’d think she’d manipulated his daughter for her own devices.

“James, say something,” she said softly.

He tilted his head to the ceiling and closed his eyes. “I have no earthly idea what I will do with her when she grows older if I can’t impact her behavior now.”

“Love her,” Nell answered. “That’s what she wants and needs.”

One corner of his mouth tugged upward in one of his rare smiles.

“That will never be a problem. She has me wrapped so tightly about her little finger, it’s a miracle I can breathe.” His gaze met hers, and the depth of affection in his eyes robbed her of the ability to think momentarily.

“Lucky you,” she finally murmured.

“I have been blessed with good fortune.” Immediately, his eyes grew hooded, and he crossed his arms over his broad chest. “She’s right in a way.

I told her that I wouldn’t marry anyone whom she didn’t approve of.

” He looked to the floor, then leveled that all-knowing gaze her way.

“The moment she saw you, she said you were the one she wanted for her mother.”

A gentle breeze could have toppled her. He had no idea that saying those words wounded her more than she could ever express. It had been her most fervent wish that she’d have married him and had a family.

Instead, she’d become a widow. Though her husband had died two years ago, Nell never returned to London, where her parents and Christa lived.

She’d chosen to stay at Whitton Priory’s dowager house.

It was close to Redmond Hall, where James resided.

She didn’t like to think it was because of James.

Yet, she’d not deny she’d hoped to catch a glimpse of him at simple country events like assemblies, Sunday church, parties, and the like.

It would ease her guilt if she saw him in his everyday life and caught him happy without being noticed.

It was sound reasoning, but their paths had never crossed. How ironic that the first time they laid eyes on each other, he was wife-hunting.

“We both know Valentina’s wishes won’t come true,” he said softly. “I can’t and won’t pick you.” Though the words were spoken softly, he’d thrown a gauntlet down. She was not to come any closer to him or his daughter.

A jagged pain stopped her heart mid-beat.

It was still tender even after all these years.

He was goading her, but she wouldn’t— nay —couldn’t take the bait.

Otherwise, he’d slice her open. Then, all her wasted youth and accompanying disappointments would spill across the floor, exposing how lonely her life had turned out.

All because she’d married to keep her indebted family from ruin. She blew out a shallow breath.

“Forgive me,” he murmured. He ran a hand through those black curls.

They glistened just like Valentina’s matching ones.

“I came to tell you that your luggage is packed on an available carriage, ready to take you home.” He lowered his gaze to hers.

“I ask that you say farewell to my daughter. She’ll be heartbroken otherwise. ”

As would Nell.

She nodded at his request. “I should find Christa. Was she at your guests’ luncheon?”

“I can’t tell you. I didn’t entertain my aunt’s guests. I ensured that everything was ready for you to depart this afternoon.” He smiled that achingly familiar half smile again.

“Of course,” she muttered. He wanted her out of the house. “Thank you.”

“I’ll escort you down to the dining room. I’m sure that’s where your sister is.” He raised his bent arm for her to take.

Without a word, she wrapped her arm around his.

Her fingers rested on the warm, solid muscle of his forearm.

That summer so long ago, his forearms had been colored from the endless time he’d spent outside fishing and helping his uncle’s tenant farmers.

Back then, he hadn’t been a ducal heir, but a young man training for a position as a land steward at the duke’s estate.

The duke and duchess took their responsibilities seriously as benefactors to their neighbors and the village close to the ducal estate.

They were generous hosts and had extended their hospitality to Nell, who’d been staying at her family’s small summer estate.

She would take tea with the duchess daily.

In fact, Nell had become one of the duchess’s favorites and had been invited to dinner regularly along with other neighbors.

The duke and duchess loved to entertain young people and their families.

Thankfully, her parents were never invited, but they had encouraged Nell to attend. No doubt hoping she’d form an attachment to a wealthy guest visiting the duke and duchess.

James had always been present when Nell visited. It hadn’t taken much time for her to fall in love with him.

They’d fallen in love so deeply that both had been in danger of drowning.

It had been the best summer of her life.

And the worst.