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

not brought my maid. Please send a capable girl to my bedchamber.”

“Certainly, my lady.”

Nicholas went to his library to await the miscreants. Warren was absent. Nicholas opened the door and spoke to the footman. “Do you know where Mr. Warren is, Giles?”

“He said he had business to attend to, milord.”

“Where?”

“He didn’t say. He left the house some hours ago.”

“Did he go on horseback?”

“I believe so.”

Weary after many hours on the road, he returned to sit down and await his wards, wrestling with his temper. Did no one obey him? Where the devil would Warren go at this time? Nicholas assumed his secretary received his message ordering him to watch the children and to keep an eye out for Simon Leeming. But what did he find? His two wards outside at dusk and no sign of the fellow. Might he have a woman in the village? Nicholas found that hard to believe. His secretary had always obeyed his orders without question.

Looking sheepish, Bella and Jeremy came into the library.

Bella hurried over to kneel beside Chester and stroke his ears. “It is so good to see you, Nicholas. We can play snap. It has been so dreary without you.”

“Where is your governess?”

“Scotty is lying down. She has a headache.”

“Is she aware that you were outside on the lawns while it grew dark?”

“Not exactly,” Jeremy said, shuffling his feet on the carpet.

Nicholas raised his eyebrows.

“We thought it better not to tell her. It might have made her headache worse,” Jeremy volunteered. “I say Nicholas, now you’re here, we can visit the Roman ruins. You did promise.”

“I’m aware of that,” Nicholas said shortly. “But if you keep trying my patience, I might forget that promise.”

Jeremy straightened. “I say, that’s rather…”

“Unless you would prefer to spend the rest of your holidays back at Eton.”

Jeremy shook his head and fell silent.

“Good. Now I have something to tell you.” He waved them to a seat. “I am concerned about a matter pertaining to your Uncle Simon. He is back in England. Your father did not wish you to see him…”

“Why ever not?” Bella asked.

“Don’t interrupt me, Bella. The reason does not concern you. I prefer you to stay indoors until I say otherwise.”

“We can’t go out? For how long?” Jeremy gasped. “Can’t I visit the horses?”

“Not for a while. But to make amends, I shall take you both to London when I’m free to do so. You may see your sister. And visit the Tower. We might go to a Tattersall’s auction.”

“I can see Carrie?” Bella cried.

Nicholas nodded with a smile.

Jeremy’s eyes widened. “That’s jolly decent of you.”

“I have brought your Great Aunt Penelope to stay. She will be your chaperone.”

Bella stared at him in horror. “Oh, but she is always so cross,” she said mournfully.

Jeremy shrugged. “She doesn’t ride, though.”

“You will be polite to Lady Penelope at dinner or take your meals in the schoolroom from now on. Now go upstairs to your governess and get ready for dinner.”

Nicholas’s lips twitched as his glum wards left the room. Their youthful exuberance would soon return. They made him smile and quite lifted his spirits. Determined to protect them from possible danger, he left the library in search of Abercrombie.

He found him in the staff quarters, about to eat his evening meal. Gesturing to him not to rise, Nicholas asked him, “Did the footman deliver my message to Mr. Warren?”

“He did, my lord. I made sure of it.”

“Did Warren tell you where he was going?”

“He received a note, then said he needed to ride out and speak to Vano.”

“What did the he want with Warren?”

“He didn’t say.”

Nicholas nodded. “Never mind. Enjoy your meal.”

He returned to the library. Perhaps he had missed Warren’s note. He went over to search through the papers on his desk.

***

Carrie’s journey with Gwen to Surrey was delayed after one of the horses picked up a stone. They’d taken the opportunity for a cup of tea at a nearby inn, and an hour later, were back on the road, but Carrie remained tense the whole way. She begged Gwen to tell her all the details concerning her uncle’s past.

“I’m surprised he’s returned,” Carrie said finally. “Wouldn’t he fear arrest?”

“Apparently, Bow Street arrested and hanged two of the men involved in the murder some years ago, so he might consider himself safe from prosecution.”

“But why risk it? He has no home in England. You say he lost it because of his gambling debts.”

“He gambled away his entire inheritance.”

“But why is Nicholas so afraid he might hurt us?”

“It is more a matter of gaining control of Bella and Jeremy’s inheritance.”

“The money is tied up in a trust, and Jeremy is now Baron Leeming. How could he?”

Gwen shrugged. “The estate won’t be in your brother’s hands for years. I’m sure there are ways around the trust if you are devious enough.”

Carrie drew in a sharp breath as something occurred to her. “Nicholas thinks Uncle Simon might harm Jeremy. Might even…” Her throat tightened, and she couldn’t say the words. “But that’s so horrible. Can he really be that wicked?”

“I don’t know, Carrie. Desperate men do desperate things.”

“But to harm his family.”

Gwen took her hand. “Let’s not dwell on it. We might be wrong about the man. Maybe he’s turned over a new leaf.”

“Yes, that might be it.” Although he’d been charming to her at the ball, Carrie couldn’t bring herself to believe it.

Without Jeremy in his way, Simon was next in line for the barony. Her uncle was like a dark shadow hovering over them. Would Nicholas be able to deal with such a dangerous man? Could he be hurt? At the thought, she shivered and put a hand to her