Never Dance with a Marquess (The Never Series Book 2), Maggi Andersen [best short novels of all time TXT] 📗

as prized as Prometheus’s fire. And another likened her eyes to a fawn’s.

Carrie refused to look Nicholas’s way again. Instead, she endowed Lord Ludlow with a beaming smile, which made him flush and gave herself up to the dance.

Chapter Sixteen

“Unfortunately, I must return to the country in a few days,” Nicholas said as he and Lillian sampled the tasty morsels on their plates and sipped champagne in the supper room.

She prodded a lobster patty with her fork with a look of dislike. “Problems with your tenants?”

“My two young wards have probably burned down the east wing by now.”

She laughed. “Tell me about them.”

Nicholas elaborated on Bella and the gypsies and Jeremy’s excursion through floodwaters. An expression appeared in her eyes he hadn’t seen before. Was it boredom? Lillian had no children. His ego suffered a check, and he moved to correct it. “Why don’t we…”

He was about to suggest a stroll in the moonlight after supper but halted when he caught sight of Carrie talking animatedly with two men. He didn’t know either of them. One, short in stature with a shock of orange hair, fitted the description Max had given him of his scurrilous brother, Simon. The other, dark-haired man had a swarthy complexion. Somewhere in his thirties, he was a stranger to Nicholas. The back of Nicholas’s neck prickled. He threw down his napkin and pushed back his chair. “Please excuse me for a moment, Lillian. There is something I must see to.”

She frowned. “If you must.”

The men had left the supper room by the time Nicholas reached Carrie. She sat alone while Ludlow, who had brought her into supper, stood at the table filling a plate with food for her.

“Who were those two men, Carrie?” he demanded.

“My Uncle Simon and his good friend, Monsieur Bettencourt. My uncle returned from France last night. He has expressed some eagerness to see Bella and Jeremy.”

Nicholas’s gut tightened. He turned toward the door to the ballroom.

“Nicholas…?” Carrie called after him.

There was no sign of either fellow among the milling crowd.

Nicholas returned to Carrie. Her partner stood beside her with two plates in his hands, watching in some surprise.

“Nicholas, I should like you to meet…” Carrie began.

“Good evening, Ludlow,” Nicholas said while gazing over his shoulder for one last search of the room. “How is your sister, Ellen?”

Ludlow bowed. “Good evening, Lord Pennington. Extremely well, thank you. Ellen is not in London this Season because she and her husband, Mr. Ferris, are expecting a special event.”

“Please convey my best wishes to them both.”

“I should like a word with you, my lord, if you have a moment,” Ludlow began.

“See me later, Ludlow,” Nicholas replied distractedly.

Carrie turned from Ludlow to him with a confused look. “Did you wish to speak to my uncle, Nicholas? He plans to travel to the country tomorrow.”

“Does he indeed,” Nicholas said through his teeth. “Where is he going? Did he say?”

Carrie eyed him carefully. “He didn’t, but if it’s Elm Park, I am sure Bella and Jeremy will be pleased to see him.”

“He is the black sheep of the family, Carrie. You are not to encourage him.”

“Why?” She glared at him. “He is the only family we have apart from Lady Penelope.”

“Ah yes, Lady Penelope,” Nicholas said thoughtfully. He turned to Ludlow. “Your servant, sir.” He bowed. “Carrie.”

He made his way back to Lillian. She had left their table and was engaged in conversation with another gentleman. “I’m afraid I shall have to leave you. I must apologize again. Please forgive me.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “Again?”

He shook his head at her with a small smile. “Might I call on you at another time?”

“Don’t make any promises you can’t keep, Nicholas.”

After his rueful smile made her laugh, Nicholas returned to the ballroom.

There was still no sign of Simon Leeming or his friend, the Frenchman, Bettencourt. As Nicholas went to search the other reception rooms, Simon appeared through a doorway. Spotting Nicholas, he approached him.

“Lord Pennington. I hoped to have a word.”

“Well, here I am,” Nicholas said, failing to shake the man’s proffered hand.

He looked nothing like Max. His hair was light ginger where Max and Carrie’s were a rich auburn and his eyes hazel. Not the deep brown of both father and daughter.

“I wished to thank you.”

Nicholas raised his eyebrows. “Thank me?”

“Yes, I was pleased to learn you stepped into my shoes in my absence to care for the poor orphaned children. But now, I am back in England and as I intend to remain….”

Nicholas eyed him coldly. “Do you seriously believe Max intended you to take them?”

His eyebrows slammed together, and a sour look pulled down his lips. “I had hoped you’d be more agreeable. It’s my plan to see to their welfare. I am extremely fond of them. And I am the children’s closest relative.”

“I’m not about to deny an obvious fact. Are you aware that only the children’s father can name a guardian for his children, and such a guardianship cannot be transferred to another except by action of the Court of Chancery?”

“Well, no, but I’m sure you would be glad to relinquish yourself of the responsibility.”

“But I don’t wish it. I am perfectly happy to follow Max’s instructions. To the letter,” he added.

“And they were?”

“To keep them away from you,” Nicholas said coldly.

Simon scowled. “I don’t believe it!”

“Whether you do or not, those were the terms of our agreement. You are a wanted felon. I’m surprised you have the temerity to turn up here.”

The man flushed an unattractive red. “I was unjustly targeted. They found the men behind the murder and hanged them.”

“If you were innocent, why did you run?”

“Should I have remained to be unfairly charged?”

Nicholas lowered his voice as two